Pharmacist engagement in medical home practices: report of the APhA-APPM Medical Home Workgroup.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors that have led to successful involvement of pharmacists in patient-centered medical home (PCMH) practices, identify challenges and suggested solutions for pharmacists involved in medical home practices, and disseminate findings. DATA SOURCES: In July 2011, the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Pharmacy Practice & Management convened a workgroup of pharmacists currently practicing or conducting research in National Committee for Quality Assurance-accredited PCMH practices. DATA SYNTHESIS: A set of guiding questions to explore the early engagement and important process steps of pharmacist engagement with PCMH practices was used to conduct a series of conference calls during an 8-month period. CONCLUSION: Based on knowledge gained from early adopters of PCMH, the workgroup identified 10 key findings that it believes are essential to pharmacist integration into PCMH practices.

Southcentral Foundation tobacco cessation initiative.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the development of a comprehensive tobacco cessation program for Alaska Native and American Indian patients in a primary care setting utilizing current evidence-based guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was assembled with representation from various departments including customers of the health care system to develop the tobacco cessation program. Feedback and guidance from the team were implemented and quit rates were calculated. RESULTS: In April 2005 the point prevalence of quitting among the 322 patients enrolled in the tobacco cessation program for 6 months was 21.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Recognized clinical interventions that reduce tobacco use were effective in reducing tobacco use among the Alaska Native and American Indian patients enrolled in the tobacco cessation program. Initial results with respect to the quit rate and tobacco use screening rate provide a baseline for future work.