Increasing Access to Care Using Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Providers in Outpatient Mental Health: Successful Practice Integration within the Department of Veterans Affairs

Abstract The Mental Health (MH) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) provider serves in many key roles to improve patient-centered care and medication outcomes by supporting the needs of the MH team, patients and caregivers in areas of comprehensive medication management (CMM). Mental Health CPS are integrated as mental health providers in general and specialty mental health clinics, behavioral health clinics embedded in primary care, residential rehabilitation facilities, specialty mental health programs, and on inpatient mental health units to improve access, quality and safety. Psychiatrist shortages are present across the United States which impacts the ability to provide mental health care to patients. There is an apparent need to transform the mental health team to include clinicians focused on providing services to the growing mental health population, hence the expertise of the MH CPS is an asset to increase access to CMM services. The MH CPS provider serves patients with a variety of mental health conditions, managing medication-related adverse events, performing ongoing and acute medication monitoring, and collaborating with other healthcare providers for management of new diagnoses. The MH CPS provider is in prime position to bridge gaps in the provision of mental health care.