Improving Patient Access to Primary Care Providers Using a Pharmacist-Physician Co-Visit Model

Area of Science:

• Primary Care Medicine
• Clinical Pharmacy Practice
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Clinical pharmacists in primary care can manage chronic diseases via Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs).
• Pharmacist-physician co-visits enhance patient access to primary care providers (PCPs).
• Co-visit models improve clinic efficiency, enabling PCPs to see more patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase patient access to PCPs using a pharmacist-physician co-visit model.
• To evaluate the number of completed co-visits versus possible co-visits.
• To assess the impact on appointment availability and provider time.

Main Methods:

• A 4-month pilot study of the co-visit model at a family medicine clinic.
• Complex care appointments were converted into two 20-minute co-visits.
• Clinic schedules were reviewed for appointment slot availability and patient fill rates.

Main Results:

• 26% (5 of 19) of possible co-visits were completed.
• All appointment slots opened by co-visits were filled by other patients.
• Average patient visit times were 15 minutes for providers and 14 minutes for pharmacists.

Conclusions:

• The pharmacist-physician co-visit model successfully increased PCP availability.
• This model allows for seeing more patients without disrupting clinic workflow.
• Co-visits offer a viable strategy for enhancing primary care access and efficiency.