Pharmacy and behavioral health: How can we collaborate in primary care?

Abstract

Developing working knowledge of integrated care models can guide pharmacists in operationalizing comprehensive medication management (CMM) alongside behavioral health services for holistic primary care integration. Over the last decade forces from both within and outside the pharmacy profession have culminated in trends toward an oversupply of pharmacists in the United States. In response, advocates of the profession have called for the materialization of long-awaited advancements in innovative, team-based, medication management roles. Although pharmacists are uniquely qualified to provide CMM services, the widespread integration to primary care teams has lagged behind that of other professions, such as behavioral health. Through the application of evidence-based integrated care models, behavioral health clinicians have become regular and routine contributors to primary care teams. To thrive in primary care roles, pharmacists must be able to navigate established teams practicing within existing integrated care models. Understanding how primary care physicians interact with other specialties, such as behavioral health, and the implications this has for pharmacy will play a role in meaningful adaptation of CMM services.