Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP
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Res Social Adm Pharm · Jan 2017
Strategies for community-based medication management services in value-based health plans.
Health plans are moving away from a volume-driven payment structure toward value-driven and risk-based contracts. There is very limited information on commercial payers' perspectives on coverage of medication management services (MMS) in value-based alternative payment models. While some health plans have experience with Medicare Part D Medication Therapy Management (MTM) programs, this experience does not promote the integration of pharmacists as health care team members. ⋯ The findings can inform the development of successful strategies for pharmacist-provided MMS that align with emerging value-based health plans and alternative provider payment models. Current MTM program barriers and facilitators are identified that could be addressed in future Part D MTM program policy changes.
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Res Social Adm Pharm · Jan 2017
Evaluating the implementation fidelity of New Medicines Service for asthma patients in community pharmacies in Belgium.
In October 2013, a New Medicines Service (NMS) was introduced in community pharmacies in Belgium to support asthma patients who are novice users of inhaler devices with corticosteroids. The protocol-based intervention used the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS) to assess asthma control and medication adherence. The NMS is the first initiative that puts advanced pharmaceutical care into practice in Belgium. The present study evaluated the degree to which the NMS program is delivered as intended, drawing on the concept of implementation fidelity (IF). ⋯ The introduction of the NMS program was not sufficiently embedded in the Belgian health care organization, causing low uptake and resistance to its implementation by pharmacists, patients, and other health care professionals. To increase the uptake of this type of service and its possible extension to other patient groups, more collaboration among the different health care professionals during design and implementation is necessary, as well as systematic data collection to monitor the quality of the service, better training of pharmacists, and more information for patients and physicians.
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Res Social Adm Pharm · Jan 2017
Fitness for purpose of pharmacy technician education and training: The case of Great Britain.
To enable pharmacists to become increasingly patient-centered, clinical professionals, they need to work with suitably trained and competent support staff; pharmacy technicians (PTs) may be the most appropriate to take on additional roles and responsibilities. However, clarity on PT roles, particularly in community pharmacy, is lacking, and pharmacists may be reluctant to delegate due to concerns over PTs' competence. ⋯ Role clarity is required for PTs so that regulatory standards can be designed to meet current and future practice needs. This will support effective skill mix configurations to enable pharmacists, particularly in community, to take on extended, clinical roles.
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Res Social Adm Pharm · Jan 2017
Pharmacists' perspectives about their role in care of patients with diabetes observing Ramadan.
Diabetes is a common chronic condition amongst Australians. Ongoing management requires adherence to medication and diet regimens. Religious practices such as fasting, such as the Ramadan fast observed by Muslims can impact medication use and diabetes control. Pharmacists as medication experts have a key role in helping people observing religious practices, to maintain optimal control over their medication regimen. ⋯ Pharmacists encounter patients with chronic conditions who observe religious fasts that may interrupt established medication regimens. Proactive counseling about medication use in these instances is offered only by some pharmacists. Professional awareness of the effect of religious practices is important and protocols to assist patients in these situations should be developed and disseminated. Standardized service provision is likely to facilitate positive patient expectations so that pharmacies and pharmacists are viewed as a normal channel for seeking help by fasting patients.