Becoming 'indispensable': Developing innovative community pharmacy practices

Objective: To describe common characteristics of successful innovative community pharmacy practices. Data Sources: Four pharmacists who are successfully incorporating pharmaceutical care services into their pharmacy practices were identified for inclusion by key informants. Sites considered for inclusion were within 300 miles of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. The four innovative community pharmacy practices were located in Maquoketa, Iowa, and in Bemidji, Anoka, and Minneapolis, Minn. Published articles identified through a Medline search-using the terms pharmaceutical care, Medicaid, Medicare, pharmacist, pharmacy, and collaborative practice-provided information to prepare for pharmacist interviews. Study Selection: By the authors. Data Extraction: Previsit telephone interviews with each pharmacist, combined with literature selected by the authors, were used to identify common characteristics of successful practices. Structured, on-site empirical observation was then performed to devise a tool for pharmacists to use for the development of innovative community pharmacy practices. The tool was then validated by two additional practitioners. Data Synthesis: Components of successful innovative community pharmacy practices include philosophy of practice, patient care process, management system, and clinical knowledge. A checklist tool is presented to be used in conjunction with the narrative description of the four components. Conclusion: Advanced pharmacy services delivered within pharmaceutical care practices can be a successful business opportunity for community pharmacists. Community pharmacists motivated to develop an innovative practice and provide pharmaceutical care services can use the checklist tool during practice implementation.