Implementing an integrated care management program in community pharmacies: A focus on medication management services

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Pharmacy Practice
• Integrated Care Management

Background:

• Community pharmacies are increasingly involved in integrated care management programs.
• Medication management services are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
• Statewide programs aim to enhance healthcare delivery through community pharmacy integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a community pharmacy medication management service.
• To identify challenges and facilitators in initiating new pharmacy services within an integrated care model.
• To inform strategies for successful service integration in community pharmacy settings.

Main Methods:

• Study involved 123 community and community health center pharmacies across North Carolina.
• Pharmacies participated in an enhanced service network for integrated care management.
• Pharmacist interviews were conducted to understand implementation barriers and successes.

Main Results:

• During the initial 3 months, 41% of pharmacies consistently documented services.
• Pharmacists cited increased service intensity and documentation burden as key challenges.
• Program modifications included revised documentation, technician authorization, and workflow support.

Conclusions:

• Community pharmacies demonstrate capacity for integrated medication management.
• Minimizing administrative tasks and providing feedback are vital for service implementation.
• Findings offer insights for pharmacy owners, managers, and policymakers on integrating new services.