SHARKS RX Spring 2017 Magazine

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY College of Pharmacy 10 11 COP Leading theWay in New, Innovative Roles for Pharmacists By Ellen Wolfson Valladares At NSU’s College of Pharmacy (COP), they’re not asking “ What if? ” anymore. They are doing it. Shattering the old stereotypes of pharmacists bound to drugstore and hospital jobs, faculty members and students are forging new ground and creating new opportunities by working directly with patients in physicians’ offices. It’s all part of initiatives put forth by faculty members who recognize an opening for growth and innovation amid new health care laws. “This is a great opportunity, which pharmacists have never had in the past, to affect care in physi- cians’ offices and help improve medication-related areas, while allowing the physician, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner to focus on other areas,” said Matthew Seamon, Pharm.D., J.D., associate professor and chair of pharmacy practice. Every day, bewildered patients meet with busy, overbooked physicians and leave the offices unsure of the directives and medications they’ve been given. But, what if, before they even walked out the door, the patient could sit down with a pharmacist in that office, review the doctor’s instructions, and get his or her questions answered? What if , after the patients go home, a pharmacist was able to follow up by phone and make sure they were taking their medications correctly and making proper lifestyle adjustments? What if pharmacists could meet with groups of patients and educate them about the medical devices they’re using, or about proper nutrition and other preventive care tips? What if the pharmacist consulted with the physician about every aspect of a patient’s medication and wellness? (continued on next page) IT ALL STARTED with the planting of a seed. In April 2015, a group of COP faculty members came together to form ACORN SEED (Accountable Care Organization Research Network, Services, and Education), hoping to integrate NSU’s pharmacy program into the ACO network. An ACO is a group of health care providers, including physicians, mental health workers, social workers, phar- macists, medical assistants, and paramedics, who work to- gether to provide interdisciplinary care to patients. They do this particularly with Medicare and chronic-care patients, with a focus on patient care and outcome-based payments. It wasn’t long before the ACORN SEED sprouted, an ACO was spun off, and the initiative blossomed. The faculty members, and some students, are assisting in physicians’ offices, consulting with patients and the physician about medication management, and educating patients through group classes and individualized care plans. “It’s an exciting new role,” said Renee Jones, Pharm.D., director of pharmacy partnerships and innovations. “Rather than filling prescriptions and dispensing medica- tions, the pharmacist is part of the health care team, making decisions and interacting with the patients.” It’s a cutting-edge advancement not only for pharmacists, but also for NSU, Jones added. “It’s unusual to have pharmacists in physicians’ offices period, much less in a university setting,” she said. “It’s very unique.” The pharmacists fill important needs, including assisting physicians with medication regimen decisions, meeting with patients to make sure they are filling their prescrip- tions and taking their medications properly, addressing lifestyle issues, helping them understand devices they are using, and offering nutritional advice. The pharmacists are holding patient education classes as well on everything from how to use an inhaler to healthy cooking classes. ACORN SEED COP faculty members proudly pose with the ACORN SEED logo. “Rather than filling prescriptions and disbursing medications, the pharmacist is part of the health care team, making decisions and interacting with the patients.” —Renee Jones, Pharm.D. Director of Pharmacy Partnerships and Innovations