A Review on Specialization in Pharmacy—Part I

Abstract

Many opportunities exist for pharmacists who desire to expand their role in providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care services to patients and other health care providers whom they serve and collaborate with on a daily basis. Consequently, there is a strong trend within pharmacy to specialize in areas of professional interest. In many respects, pharmacy has turned towards the medical model in addressing its needs and providing a framework for specialization in practice. With respect to generalist and specialized practitioners and varying initiatives relative to the medical model, the concept of specialization in pharmacy has recently developed some interesting tangents when issues of certification, credentialing, disease-state management, and added-qualifications enter the discussion. In this, the first of a 2-part series (Part II in the upcoming issue) focusing on specialization in pharmacy, a review of the current initiatives by which a pharmacist can achieve specialty status will be addressed.