Assessing a pharmacist provided mental health screening service in a rural community to address anxiety and depression

Abstract

BackgroundThe current state of the mental health crisis has been a topic of discussion around the nation, with those in rural communities being at a particularly higher risk. Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to screen patients for mental health disorders and provide education and patient monitoring following medication changes by prescribers. ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess mental health screening outcomes provided by rural community pharmacists. MethodsThis retrospective evaluation of a pilot project describes a behavioral health service. Eligible patients were 18 years of age or older, taking one or more mental health medications and covered by the specific Medicaid health plan. Participating pharmacies were those that had a considerable patient population participating with that plan, as well as credentialed and trained pharmacists. Pharmacists performed telehealth visits with eligible patients where they confirmed their mental health diagnosis and medications. Based on patient confirmed diagnosis, a Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7) or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) test was administered. The pharmacists then made recommendations to the patients or their prescribers and created a plan with the patient for implementation based on their score.Follow-up calls were conducted to readminister the appropriate test to identify changes in mental health scores. ResultsThere were 61 patients who participated in the services across 4 pharmacies. Mean GAD-7 scores were 8.1 at initial appointment and 6.4 at follow-up (n = 24). Mean PHQ-9 scores were 11.2 initially and 10 at follow-up (n = 37). ConclusionThis implementation project supports the creation of additional mental health services in the community pharmacy setting to reinforce and encourage follow-up provider visits in areas where there are mental health provider shortages and may possibly improve patient outcomes.