A collaborative strategy with community pharmacists and physicians to improve patient experience and implement quality standards for patients with depression

Abstract

BackgroundThe experience for patients with mental health disorders may be negatively impacted by the barriers to care, such as low health care provider-to-population ratios, travel time to reach service providers, higher hospital readmission rates, and local demand for services, especially in suburban and rural areas. ObjectivesThe project aimed to design a model in which physicians and pharmacists collaborate to provide comprehensive care to patients with depression in two northern communities and improve the patient and provider experience. MethodsPharmacists and primary care physicians developed a model in which patients starting on new antidepressant medications received regular follow-up care and education on adjunct therapies from the community pharmacists instead of the physician. The patient and provider experiences were measured through surveys. ResultsOut of the 14 patients who completed the patient survey, 13 reported feeling more supported by receiving follow-up care from pharmacists. Out of the 5 providers who completed the provider survey, 4 reported that the physician-pharmacist collaboration and additional support were helpful to patients. ConclusionOverall, the project positively impacted patient experience and providers perceived value in the shared-care model.