Transferring Key Success Factors from Ambulatory Care into the Community Pharmacy in the United States
Alex J. Luli,
Linda Awdishu,
Jan D. Hirsch,
Jonathan H. Watanabe,
Mark Bounthavong,
Candis M. Morello
Affiliations
Alex J. Luli
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Linda Awdishu
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Jan D. Hirsch
Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, 101 Theory, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612, USA
Jonathan H. Watanabe
Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, 101 Theory, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612, USA
Mark Bounthavong
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Candis M. Morello
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
In the United States, pharmacists’ scope of practice continues to expand, with increasing opportunities for pharmacists in all practice settings to enhance health in society. In ambulatory care, pharmacists remain integral members on the healthcare team and have demonstrated positive impacts on patient care. Sharing similar characteristics as pharmacists in the community setting, a deeper look into common elements of a successful ambulatory care practice that can be applied in the community pharmacy setting is warranted. Key success factors identified from ambulatory care include (1) maximizing a pharmacist’s unique knowledge base and skill set, (2) forming collaborations with physicians and other providers, (3) demonstrating outcomes and value, and (4) maintaining sustainability. Opportunities exist for pharmacists in the community setting to utilize these success factors when developing, implementing, and/or expanding direct patient care services that improve accessibility to quality care and population health.
