Gray DR, Namikas EA, Sax MJ, Brinkman J, Cheung A, Gordon M, Parker AG, Welch PH. Clinical pharmacists as allied health care providers to psychiatric patients.
CONTEMPORARY PHARMACY PRACTICE 1980;
2:108-16. [PMID:
10242843]
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Abstract
The effect of clinical pharmacy services on the quality and economy of health care provided to psychiatric patients at a Veterans Administration outpatient clinic was evaluated. Twenty-one patients were selected from the Day Treatment Center, of these, 19 patients completed the study. In providing health care to these psychiatric patients, the clinical pharmacist used a systemized approach including data gathering, evaluation, plan of action, and follow-up. In addition, medication groups and weekly staff meetings were incorporated into the patient treatment plan. Following a 3-month study period, the impact of clinical pharmacy services was evaluated. The provision of allied health care to psychiatric patients by clinical pharmacists resulted in a decreased incidence and severity of adverse drug effects, fewer drug use problems, a reduction in the total number of drugs prescribed, improved patient drug knowledge, and reduced expenditures for health care without compromising the patient's mental functioning.
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