Pharmacist involvement in a thyroid clinic.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Pharmacotherapy

Background:

• A pharmacist has been integrated into a university hospital's thyroid clinic since 1978.
• The clinic serves over 1500 patients annually, referred for various thyroid conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the patient-care activities of a clinical pharmacist within a specialized thyroid clinic.
• To evaluate the pharmacist's effectiveness in managing thyroid disorder pharmacotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Pharmacist initiated, maintained, and modified drug therapy for thyroid disorders under approved protocols.
• Activities included patient assessment, prescribing, ordering tests, charting, and patient education.
• Collaboration with the chief endocrinologist for major therapeutic adjustments.

Main Results:

• The pharmacist managed drug therapy for thyroid suppression, Graves' disease, and post-treatment supplementation.
• Patient outcome audits demonstrated high effectiveness in direct patient care.
• Pharmacist's role encompassed clinical practice, education, preceptorship, and research.

Conclusions:

• Clinical pharmacists are integral to thyroid clinic operations, providing direct patient care.
• The pharmacist's multifaceted role contributes to effective management of thyroid disorders.
• Pharmacist involvement enhances patient care, education, and potentially research in endocrinology settings.