The clinical pharmacist in a family practice residency program

Area of Science:

• Family Medicine
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Medical Education

Background:

• Family medicine residency programs require comprehensive drug therapy education.
• Integrating clinical pharmacists can enhance the educational experience and patient care.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist acting as a drug therapy consultant-educator in a family medicine residency program.
• To assess family physicians' attitudes towards clinical pharmacy services.
• To explore the development of interdisciplinary team practice understanding.

Main Methods:

• A clinical pharmacist was embedded within a family practice residency program.
• The pharmacist provided drug information, consultation, teaching, and drug utilization reviews.
• Family physicians' attitudes were assessed via pre- and post-intervention interviews and a post-intervention questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Physicians and the pharmacist demonstrated an enhanced understanding of interdisciplinary team practice.
• The clinical pharmacist's role as a teacher and consultant was solidified.
• Physicians' attitudes towards clinical pharmacy were positively influenced.

Conclusions:

• Integrating clinical pharmacists into family medicine residency programs enhances interdisciplinary understanding.
• A clinical pharmacist can effectively serve as a consultant and educator, improving drug therapy management.
• This model reinforces the value of collaborative practice in medical education.