Development of a Student-Led Ambulatory Medication Reconciliation Program at an Academic Institution

To integrate fourth-year student pharmacists on advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) rotations within several different ambulatory clinics to perform medication reconciliations and enhance interdisciplinary practice.

The study design was a descriptive, prospective multisite study among a variety of ambulatory care outpatient clinics. Student pharmacists were partnered with physicians to conduct medication reconciliations during clinic visits for 4 hours per week, with data collection from January 2016 to September 2016. This program originated from physician requests for additional pharmacy involvement and led to the development of a successful implementation strategy to involve student pharmacists in the medication reconciliation process.

Student pharmacists identified 537 medication discrepancies among 491 patients, including commission of medications (36%), documentation of previously omitted medications (27%), and incomplete patient allergy information (11%). Students spent an average of 10 minutes on each encounter.

Documentation from this innovative program suggests improvement in medication reconciliation and enhanced patient care with limited time required of student pharmacists. A similar program could be developed and utilized at other clinical sites.