Ambulatory care pharmacy services: the incomplete agenda

To review studies that document the impact of clinical pharmacy services in ambulatory care settings and to propose standards of practice and resource allocation needs in ambulatory care.

English-language literature from 1970 through 1991 was reviewed and the representative literature is described.

Studies were selected that examined the impact of clinical pharmacy services on patient outcomes and costs. Studies that evaluated pharmacist consultations by blind peer-review panels were also evaluated.

Trials were assessed based on their methodologies and ability to assess the value of clinical pharmacy services on patient outcomes.

Numerous studies from the past 20 years are described illustrating the impact that ambulatory care pharmacy practitioners have made on patient care. These studies demonstrate that clinical pharmacists in ambulatory care not only serve as consultants on pharmacotherapy issues, but also can improve the quality of care for individual patients.

Based on the studies cited and the needs of ambulatory patients, this article highlights the authors' views on what the standards of practice should be for ambulatory care practitioners and where resources should be allocated as ambulatory programs are expanded.