The Role of Pharmacy Through Collaborative Practice in an Ambulatory Care Clinic

Pharmacists have been practicing in ambulatory care environments managing patients with chronic illnesses since the 1970s. The US Surgeon General and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention support pharmacists working in collaboration with physicians to optimize medication outcomes, improve patient satisfaction, and lower health care costs. Through collaborative practice agreements, pharmacists are able to work as part of a health care team with access to electronic health records, and they assist busy physicians manage patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. This article will review the different types of ambulatory care practice settings, what is included in a collaborative practice agreement, the credentialing and privileging of pharmacists working in such environments, the qualifications of pharmacists, the scope of practice, and some challenges for reimbursement.