Frontline perspective on credentialing and privileging of ambulatory care pharmacists

To present the current state of, and frontline advice on, the implementation of successful credentialing and privileging processes for practicing pharmacists in the United States.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Section Advisory Group on Compensation and Practice Sustainability surveyed ambulatory care pharmacists via ASHP Connect about the status, structure and oversight of their ambulatory care clinical practice sites with credentialed and privileged (C&P) pharmacists.

Over 80% of survey respondents identified themselves as a C&P pharmacist, and over 90% indicated it is 'Important' or 'Very Important' for pharmacists to be C&P. Qualitative survey responses indicated the most important considerations for establishing or expanding a credentialing and privileging process for ambulatory care pharmacists were 'don't re-create the wheel', 'establish a physician champion and/or obtain leadership buy-in', 'be persistent and patient', 'develop a guidance document' and 'work within existing processes'.

Starting a credentialing and privileging process is critical in preparation for, or response to, provider status recognition of pharmacists in the United States. When used with existing guidance documents on credentialing and privileging, 'front line' advice from practicing pharmacists can help promote expanded roles for pharmacists within healthcare systems.