Primary care physician (PCP) shortages are predicted for 2025, and many workforce models have recommended the expanded integration of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. However, there has been little consideration of incorporating clinical pharmacists on primary care teams to address the growing number of patient visits that involve medication optimization and management. This article summarizes various estimates of pharmacist staffing ratios based on number of PCPs, patient panel size, or annual patient encounters. Finally, some steps are offered to address the practice- and policy-based implications of expanding primary care pharmacist activities at the local and state levels.
PettersonSMLiawWRPhillipsRLet al. Projecting US primary care physician workforce needs: 2010-2025. Ann Fam Med. 2012;10:503-509. doi:10.1370/afm.1431
3.
US Centers for Disease Control. Health, United States 2016. Table 79: prescription drug use in the past 30 days, by sex, race and Hispanic origin, and age: United States, selected years 1988–1994 through 2011–2014. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus16.pdf#079. Accessed July 22, 2017.
4.
GhorobABodenheimerT.Sharing the care to improve access to primary care. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:1955-1957.
5.
TarnDMPaternitiDAKravitzRLet al. How much time does it take to prescribe a new medication?Patient Educ Couns. 2008;72:311-319.
6.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advancing Team-Based Care Through Collaborative Practice Agreements: A Resource and Implementation Guide for Adding Pharmacists to the Care Team. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services; 2017.
7.
PeikesDNReidRJDayTJet al. Staffing patterns of primary care practices in the comprehensive primary care initiative. Ann Fam Med. 2014;12:142-149.
ElnahalSMClancyCMShulkinDJ.A framework for disseminating clinical best practices in the VA health system. JAMA. 2017;317:255-256.
13.
LeRoyL.Balancing primary care workload and workforce to build future capacity. Paper presented at: Academy Health Meeting; June 28, 2017; New Orleans, LA.
14.
National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Collaborative practice agreements toolkit. https://naspa.us/resource/cpa/. Accessed July 22, 2017.
