Medication Therapy Management in Community Pharmacy Practice: Core Elements of an MTM Service (Version 1.0)

Objective: To describe successes and barriers with the development and implementation of a community pharmacy medication therapy management-based transition of care program in the managed Medicaid population. Setting: A single supermarket chain pharmacy Practice description: Community pharmacists provide dispensing and non-dispensing pharmacy services including medication therapy management, biometric wellness screenings, and immunizations. Practice innovation: Developed and implemented a community pharmacy medication therapy management-based transition of care program for patients with managed Medicaid Main outcome measures: Feasibility of developing and implementing a transition of care service in a community pharmacy Results: During the first six months, a total of 17 patients were seen as part of the program. Study pharmacists identified successes and potential strategies for overcoming barriers. Conclusion: Developing and implementing a community pharmacy transition of care program for patients with managed Medicaid was logistically feasible. Type: Original Research

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Physicians’ Preferences for Communication of Pharmacist-Provided Medication Therapy Management in Community Pharmacy

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190015585764 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 17-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kendall D. Guthrie ◽

Steven C. Stoner ◽

D. Matthew Hartwig ◽

Justin R. May ◽

Sara E. Nicolaus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Pharmacy ◽

Medication Therapy Management ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Term Care ◽

Prospective Survey ◽

Therapy Management ◽

Medication Therapy ◽

Communication Practices

Objectives: (1) To identify physicians’ preferences in regard to pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) communication in the community pharmacy setting; (2) to identify physicians’ perceived barriers to communicating with a pharmacist regarding MTM; and (3) to determine whether Missouri physicians feel MTM is beneficial for their patients. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective survey study of 2021 family and general practice physicians registered with MO HealthNet, Missouri’s Medicaid program. Results: The majority (52.8%) of physicians preferred MTM data to be communicated via fax. Most physicians who provided care to patients in long-term care (LTC) facilities (81.0%) preferred to be contacted at their practice location as opposed to the LTC facility. The greatest barriers to communication were lack of time and inefficient communication practices. Improved/enhanced communication was the most common suggestion for improvement in the MTM process. Approximately 67% of respondents reported MTM as beneficial or somewhat beneficial for their patients. Conclusions: Survey respondents saw value in the MTM services offered by pharmacists. However, pharmacists should use the identified preferences and barriers to improve their currently utilized communication practices in hopes of increasing acceptance of recommendations. Ultimately, this may assist MTM providers in working collaboratively with patients’ physicians.

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