Incorporation and Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist in a Hospital-Based Neurology Clinic Treating Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Clinical pharmacists are uniquely positioned to assist with the complexities of medication management for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study is to describe clinical pharmacy services provided as well as provider satisfaction and perceived impact of incorporating a clinical pharmacist in MS patient care. Methods: This study was conducted in two parts: a retrospective chart review and provider survey conducted in an outpatient neurology clinic at an academic medical center. Between April 2017 and June 2018, electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients with documented interventions by a pharmacist were reviewed to describe clinical pharmacy services provided to MS patients. A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed to neurology providers to evaluate provider satisfaction and perceived impact of clinical pharmacist involvement in MS patient care. Results: There were 64 patients identified during the study period with 378 documented interventions made by clinical pharmacists. Pharmacist interventions were most commonly related to facilitating medication access (N=208), pre-treatment screening (N=57), patient counseling (N=51), and providing drug information (N=43). All providers surveyed (n=9) indicated that facilitating medication access, patient counseling, and drug interaction management were moderately or very important clinical pharmacy services. Furthermore, all providers surveyed strongly agreed that pharmacist involvement decreased time to therapy initiation for patients and decreased provider time spent on medication management. Conclusions: Clinical pharmacists play an integral role in MS patient care, particularly with facilitating medication access. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the contribution of clinical pharmacists in the care of MS patients.

Integrating neurology and pharmacy through telemedicine: A novel care model

“…Sub-specialties such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis may also leverage and benefit from telepharmacy services. [ 13 , 14 ]…”

Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist in a Neurology Clinic Treating Patients with Myasthenia Gravis and Multiple Sclerosis

“…There is a limited number of studies that speci cally evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist in an MS clinic. Most recently, in a retrospective chart review, May et al found that 55% of a neurology clinical pharmacists interventions were medication access related in the Grady Health System neurology clinic in Atlanta and found high satisfaction among providers with clinical pharmacist involvement [7]. Therefore, the objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist in interdisciplinary MG and MS clinics.…”