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2022-04-06
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Pharmacy Practice & Practice-Based Research
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Copyright (c) 2022 Katherine Montag Schafer, Ila Harris, Jody Lounsbery, Ann M. Philbrick, Jean Moon
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright of content published in INNOVATIONS in pharmacy belongs to the author(s).
Shifts in Pharmacists’ Responsibilities in Family Medicine Residency Programs during COVID-19
Katherine Montag Schafer
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School
Ila Harris
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School
Jody Lounsbery
Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
Ann M. Philbrick
Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
Jean Moon
Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v13i1.4559
Keywords: COVID-19, pharmacists, pharmacist responsibilities, family medicine, family medicine residency program
Abstract
Background: The role of clinical pharmacists in family medicine residency programs (FMRPs) has become increasingly commonplace in the last several years, with mixed responsibilities, however largely involving teaching and patient care. The COVID-19 pandemic affected all facets of healthcare, pharmacists included. Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the role of the pharmacist in FMRPs is needed.
Methods: A survey tool was developed and distributed through two national listservs clinical pharmacists in FMRPs commonly subscribe to.
Results: A total of 32 responses were received. The majority of pharmacist participants indicated no change in their overall time allocation to the FMRP. Patient care was affected by transitions to virtual or remote care for those in the outpatient setting, which in some cases were sustained changes. Teaching responsibilities increased for the majority, largely impacted by the need to transition to virtual platforms. Barriers to relationship development resulted from both of these transitions. Innovations and positive results were reported by participants in patient care, teaching, and research.
Conclusions: These results highlight the many silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new challenges, such as the increased teaching need, use of virtual platforms and using creative ways to find connections and build relationships in an ongoing, semi-virtual world, are opportunities for continued innovation for clinical pharmacists as they fit within our strengths and scope within FMRPs.
