Measuring the ability of clinical pharmacists to effect drug therapy changes in a family practice clinic using prognostic indicators.

This study was designed to analyze physicians' acceptance of pharmacists' drug therapy recommendations in a Family Practice Clinic. It also measured the relationship between specific prognostic indicators and pharmacists' recommendations regarding drug therapy in individual patients. Once the recommendations were implemented, outcome data were collected to assess the impact on patient care. Thirty-nine patients were seen by a pharmacist during 49 clinic visits. A total of 36 recommendations were made to change therapy. Recommendations to change therapy occurred most frequently when one indicator, medication regimen changed four or more times during the past year, was present. Recommendations were accepted by physicians in 32 or 89% of cases. Patient outcome improved in 95% (18 of 19) of cases and remained unchanged in 5% (1 of 19) of cases for which outcome data were available.