Evaluation of pharmacists' barriers to the implementation of medication therapy management services.
OBJECTIVE
To assess pharmacists' actual and perceived barriers to implementing medication therapy management (MTM) services in the outpatient setting and to assess demographic and other factors associated with identified barriers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
United States in 2007.


METHODS
970 pharmacists practicing in an outpatient setting.


METHODS
E-mail invitation to participate in an Internet-based survey.


METHODS
Barriers to implementing MTM, practice characteristic influences on barriers, and personal characteristic influences on barriers.


RESULTS
776 of the 970 respondents (80.0%) were providing MTM or direct patient care services. Of respondents, 35% were compensated and 45% were not compensated for providing MTM services they provided to patients. The most common barriers identified for pharmacists providing MTM services with or without compensation were related to compensation. The most common barriers identified for those interested in providing MTM services were lack of additional staffing (89.6%) and poor access to medical information (84.0%). Pharmacists providing MTM with compensation were significantly less likely to agree with barriers relating to management, documentation, and compensation compared with those providing MTM without compensation. Those providing MTM with compensation were less likely to agree with most barriers compared with pharmacists who were interested in providing MTM services. Pharmacists practicing in a noncommunity setting were less likely to agree with barriers related to interprofessional relationships and documentation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that the most important barriers to implementing MTM services in the outpatient setting identified by pharmacist survey respondents were related to interprofessional relationships, documentation, and compensation. Despite the resources available to pharmacists, barriers continue to hinder the expansion of MTM and direct patient care services.
Lounsbery
Jody L
JL
College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. loun0015@umn.edu
Green
Christopher G
CG
Bennett
Marialice S
MS
Pedersen
Craig A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce