Assessment of Pharmacists’ Self-Reported Preparedness to Provide Pharmacotherapy Services to Individuals with Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Objectives: Pharmacists’ level of training and experience in psychiatric pharmacy were compared for: 1) self-perceived preparedness to provide pharmacotherapy services; and 2) perceived barriers to providing services to individuals with psychiatric disorders. Methods: This study used data from an internet-based questionnaire. Respondents were divided into 2 groups: 1) completed the Arizona Pharmacy Association’s Psychiatric Certificate Program, and/or Board Certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy, and/or College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists member, and/or completed a PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy residency; and 2) no specialized training/experience in psychiatric pharmacy. A Mann-Whitney U analysis was used to compare the scaled responses for each group. A Bonferroni alpha correction was use in the case of multiple tests. Results: Compared to pharmacists without training/experience in psychiatry (N = 235), respondents with specialized training/experience in psychiatry pharmacy (N = 38) reported more frequent interactions with psychiatric patients and provided more counseling/drug information, monitoring for adverse drug reactions, recommending non-pharmacological treatments, screening for treatment issues, and making therapeutic recommendations (p < 0.05). Trained pharmacists in psychiatry reported being more prepared to provide all pharmacotherapy services (p = 0.003), except in addressing non-adherence, utilizing online resources, and providing pharmacotherapy services to patients with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. They reported fewer barriers (α = 0.005) except for time to provide services, having a private consultation area, and reimbursement for patient care activities. Conclusions: This study found that responding pharmacists without psychiatric training/experience may need additional education/training post-graduation and that they perceive more barriers in providing services to this population.