Role of Oncology Clinical Pharmacists in Light of the Oncology Workforce Study

Abstract

To date, the information published regarding workforce implications has focused on physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. But oncology clinical pharmacists also can assist with direct patient care and patient education activities.

Utilization of Collaborative Practice Agreements between Physicians and Pharmacists as a Mechanism to Increase Capacity to Care for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

“…7–10 A CPA may increase capacity to care for HSCT recipients, as this allows pharmacists to manage medication therapy once a physician has established a diagnosis. 11 The first published description of a formalized collaborative practice between physicians and pharmacists was within the Indian Health Service in the early 1970’s. 12,13 Pharmacists have utilized CPAs successfully in oncology for several decades to manage supportive therapies such as antiemetics and colony stimulating factors, as well as complications of malignancies and their treatment, including anemia, mucositis, diarrhea, constipation, and pain (Table 1).…”

The Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Pharmacist: Roles, Responsibilities, and Recommendations from the ASBMT Pharmacy Special Interest Group

“…Included in these recommen-dations are strengthening the pharmacy workforce by defining minimum standards of pharmaceutical care and utilizing CPAs with physicians [57]. While functioning in these collaborative models, pharmacists can serve as vital extenders of physician providers, helping to close the workforce gap [58][59][60].…”

Implementation of the Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative within comprehensive cancer centers

“…The progressive use of oncology pharmacists at the Duke and University of North Carolina Lineberger/North Carolina Cancer Hospitals has proven the value of pharmacists in optimizing healthcare efficiency in the outpatient setting. [9][10][11][12] In these facilities, pharmacists have developed over 200 chemotherapy order sets and initiated outpatient supportive care services focusing on patient education and cancer symptom management. These services have effectively reduced the time physicians spend writing medication orders.…”