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

Abstract

Researchers have identified barriers to providing medication therapy management (MTM) services in the community pharmacy setting. 1 Barriers perceived by pharmacists include the lack of pharmacists' training in the elements of MTM, resources to support the service, and personnel to assist pharmacists in the provision of the service. 1,2Incorporating pharmacy technicians in the process may help to decrease perceived barriers. 2 Not all elements required for the completion of MTM cases require the clinical judgment of a pharmacist. Nonclinical tasks include scheduling patient appointments, making reminder phone calls to patients with appointments scheduled, identifying patients who are eligible for MTM, and performing the final billing steps in order to receive reimbursement. 3 Such nonclinical functions can be designated to a pharmacy technician so that the pharmacist can focus on drug-related problems and conduct more MTM sessions.In order to incorporate technicians into the MTM process, training programs are necessary. The need for edu-

What predicts medication therapy management completion rates? The role of community pharmacy staff characteristics and beliefs about medication therapy management

“…That said, only 59.7% of pharmacy technicians believed that they had the necessary knowledge and skills to assist with MTM compared with 91.9% of pharmacists (P < 0.01). Our findings align with those of Pattin et al, 20 who concluded that pharmacy technicians are willing to assist with MTM services; however, appropriate training is necessary for it to be effective. This finding further supports implementation strategies focusing on training pharmacy technicians on MTM services, as they already believe that they have the necessary time and support.…”

Medication therapy management delivery by community pharmacists: Insights from a national sample of Medicare Part D beneficiaries

“…For example, the need to redefine workflow to incorporate MTM has been noted as a barrier . Defining and developing new roles for support staff have been emphasized . Moreover, community pharmacists have struggled with patient and prescriber understanding and acceptance of MTM services .…”

“…[8][9][10] Defining and developing new roles for support staff have been emphasized. 9,[11][12][13] Moreover, community pharmacists have struggled with patient and prescriber understanding and acceptance of MTM services. 8,[14][15][16] Additional barriers reported include high demand for dispensing-related activities, cumbersome MTM documentation, insufficient staff training, and inadequate staffing hours.…”

Team Communication on Tasks Performed in Blood Pressure Clinics in Community Pharmacies

“…Involvement of pharmacy technicians in areas other than dispensing medications have been continuously recognized. 1 Current literature has indicated that pharmacy technicians can contribute greatly in addressing drug shortage, 2 promoting pharmacy-based immunization, 3 assisting Medication Therapy Management, 4 and so on. In recent years, there has been an increase in pharmacists' provision of self-management education programs to patients in community pharmacy settings.…”