Pharmacist-provided Ambulatory Patient Care: Progressing Pharmacy Practice and Preparing the Next Generation of Pharmacists

Objectives: The role of the pharmacist within the U.S. healthcare system has shifted beyond that of dispensing prescription medications and now includes the provision of a variety of cognitive services, including medication therapy management (MTM). The focus of such services is to place emphasis on a patient-centered approach to ensure optimal medication use. Continued advancement relies both on the commitment of current pharmacists to these services, as well as preparing future pharmacists to succeed in this role. The purpose of this article is to describe the approaches of three MTM sites to providing patient care, conducting research, completing efforts focused on service, and educating future pharmacists. Methods: The article offers a pharmacist-provided description of three distinct MTM sites that have been established in cooperation with the University of Minnesota. Pharmacists describe three unique approaches to implementation of pharmacist-provided MTM services. Site 1 provides a description of care in a stand-alone clinic, which places the pharmacist and patient separate from patients' other healthcare providers. Site 2, which is an embedded clinic, describes pharmacists' provision of cognitive services within a health system that also delivers other healthcare services. Site 3 is a unique setting that acts as a stand-alone clinic when offering general health services, and like an " embedded" clinic when treating mental health needs. Results: The description of each site explains the similarities and differences of each clinic and how it impacts the pharmacists' approaches to delivery of care, research, service, and education. The sites described in this article offer three pharmacist-provided MTM service implementation approaches, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. Conclusion: Future pharmacists' ability to observe the direct impact of MTM services helps to inspire the next generation of pharmacists to expand pharmacist-delivered patient care services.