Training Community Pharmacy Technicians about Their Roles in the Provision of Medication Therapy Management Services

Abstract

Background:

Although increased patient access and reimbursement opportunities are available through medication therapy management (MTM), strategies must be employed to decrease barriers to providing MTM services in a retail pharmacy.

Objective:

To describe a program for training community pharmacy technicians about their role in the provision of MTM services while evaluating their attitudes about and understanding of MTM.

Methods:

A training program was developed for community pharmacy technicians, aimed at defining MTM and designating nonclinical skills that can be developed to decrease the burden on pharmacists who perform MTM. All pharmacy technicians within a zone of a supermarket chain were invited to participate in the training program. Immediately prior to the training program, participants completed a pretest survey. After the training program, technicians completed a posttest survey. Surveys were designed to capture technicians' understanding of MTM and their attitudes about performing functions in the MTM process.

Results:

Of 150 technicians available in the designated zone, 28 volunteered to complete the MTM training program and surveys. More technicians responded that they believe that they have a role in MTM services after the training program (21.4%) than did before the training program (3.6%). Posttest results, compared with pretest results, indicated that technicians strongly agreed that they can help with MTM services (p < 0.01). Posttest responses showed that more technicians agreed that MTM services are important for patients, compared with pretest responses.

Conclusions:

Participants indicated that they are willing to help pharmacists complete MTM cases by performing nonclinical tasks. The widespread use of MTM training programs for pharmacy technicians is necessary to evaluate effective ways to prepare pharmacy technicians to assist with the MTM process.