The community pharmacist as a link to psychosocial care services: Findings and lessons from a collaborative project

Abstract

The role of pharmacists is increasingly expanding to encompass holistic patient-oriented services, including prevention, health advice, and counseling. Despite this, the pharmacist's role in public psychosocial wellbeing remains understudied. Project #CAVAsa, a collaboration between Flemish Pharmacists' Network and Centers for General Wellbeing (CAW), aimed to strengthen the pharmacist's role in psychosocial care. Through training and supportive materials, pharmacists were equipped to detect, inform, and refer patients to appropriate psychosocial services. Between 2021 and 2024, 387 pharmacies participated, registering 415 patient contacts about psychosocial wellbeing. Key enabling conditions for sustainable integration of pharmacists in psychosocial care include delineating their role, strengthening knowledge and competencies, and facilitating integrated care and collaboration. Further support for pharmacists and other primary care providers in psychosocial care is needed to bridge the gap between the health and social services.