A pharmacist's contribution to an ambulatory neurology clinic.

OBJECTIVE

Identify and categorize recommendations made by a consultant pharmacist in a neurology clinic, and document patient satisfaction with consultations provided by the pharmacist.

DESIGN

Prospective, case series.

SETTING

Ambulatory neurology clinic located in eastern Washington state.

PATIENTS

Participants were referred to the consultant pharmacist by the neurologist or neurology nurse practitioner or self-referral. The pharmacist saw 56 patients, for a total of 66 encounters.

INTERVENTIONS

A medication review was completed, and the patient and pharmacist met for consultation, assessment, and patient counseling. The pharmacist made pharmacotherapeutic recommendations and referrals to other health care providers. Printed surveys were distributed to patients regarding their satisfaction with the pharmacy consultation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The number and types of recommendations made by the pharmacist. Patient satisfaction with the pharmacist and pharmacy consultation, reported in a written survey provided after the consultation.

RESULTS

The pharmacist spent an average of 38 minutes with each patient. A total of 192 pharmacotherapeutic recommendations were made: 55 (29%) to discontinue a medication, 46 (24%) to add a medication, 45 (23%) to change a dose, 39 (20%) therapeutic substitutions, and 7 (4%) for therapeutic monitoring. Survey respondents indicated they were very satisfied (97%), and all (100%) had a better understanding of how to take their medications after meeting with the pharmacist.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacist involvement in a neurology clinic increases patient-pharmacist contact time and patient understanding regarding medications. The pharmacist offers numerous recommendations to health care providers, potentially improving the patient's pharmacotherapy.