ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The demand for mental health (MH) services has increased as more veterans seek MH care. At the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) was developed to manage patients with uncomplicated MH conditions, including depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), within an interdisciplinary primary care (PC) team that includes clinical pharmacy specialists (CPSs). Pharmacists have improved outcomes and access to care for many chronic medical conditions, but limited data demonstrate the impact of MH pharmacists within PC. METHODS: This project evaluated the impact of a PCMHI CPS clinic on managing patients with recent antidepressant initiation and CPS clinic intake from September 2015 through December 2016, including follow-up through January 2017. Markers used to evaluate effectiveness of the service included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores, antidepressant medication possession ratio, number of emergency department visits for MH-related concerns, patient engagement in concurrent psychotherapy, and referrals to specialty MH providers. RESULTS: A total of 196 unique patients had intake with the PCMHI CPS in the time specified; 172 of these patients were included in analyses. There were 155 patients maintained in PC. Average Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores decreased from 14.5 to 8.5, with 63 patients (46%) achieving response and 42 patients (31%) achieving remission. The average antidepressant medication possession ratio was 0.93 for all included patients. DISCUSSION: A PCMHI CPS successfully manages and maintains patients with uncomplicated MH conditions in PC through evidence-based pharmacotherapy, as evidenced by symptom improvement, medication adherence, and low rate of specialty MH referrals.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The demand for mental health services has increased as more veterans have been diagnosed with-and sought care for-one or more mental health conditions. Within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), providers may submit electronic consults (e-consults) to mental health clinical pharmacy specialists for medication review and recommendations. These consults aim to manage veterans with uncomplicated mental health conditions in primary care, making specialty mental health providers more available for those who need such services. Pharmacists have improved outcomes and access to care for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, but currently, there is limited evidence demonstrating the impact of pharmacists in mental health. METHODS: This quality improvement project assessed the effectiveness of the e-consult service. Information was collected through a retrospective chart review of STVHCS veterans with the corresponding consult note placed in their chart from May 2014 through December 2015. Numbers of recommendations implemented and veterans maintained in primary care were analyzed as markers of effectiveness. Time and cost savings were secondarily explored. RESULTS: A total of 361 consults were submitted for 353 unique patients. Of the 322 patients included in analyses, a total of 301 unique patients (93.5%) were maintained in primary care for at least 3 months. Of the 21 not maintained in primary care, 15 recommendations were implemented; of those maintained in primary care, 271 recommendations were implemented. DISCUSSION: This service improves mental health care-and patient access-by promoting successful management and maintenance of less complicated patients in primary care.
