title: Patient-centered health care using pharmacist-delivered medication therapy management in rural Mississippi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and provide preliminary clinical and economic outcomes from a pharmacist-delivered patient-centered health care (PCHC) model implemented in the Mississippi Delta.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mississippi between July 2008 and June 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 community pharmacies in nine Mississippi Delta counties.
  
  
  METHODS
  This PCHC model implements a comprehensive medication therapy management (MTM) program with pharmacist training, individualized patient encounters and group education, provider outreach, integration of pharmacists into health information technology, and on-site support in community pharmacies in a medically underserved region with a large burden of chronic disease and health disparities. The program also expands on traditional MTM services through initiatives in health literacy/cultural competency and efforts to increase the provider network and improve access to care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Criteria-based clinical outcomes, quality indicator reports, cost avoidance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCHC services have been implemented in 13 pharmacies in nine counties in this underserved region, and 78 pharmacists and 177 students have completed the American Pharmacists Association's MTM Certificate Training Program. Preliminary data from 468 patients showed 681 encounters in which 1,471 drug therapy problems were identified and resolved. Preliminary data for clinical indicators and economic outcome measures are trending in a positive direction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary data analyses suggest that pharmacist-provided PCHC is beneficial and has the potential to be replicated in similar rural communities that are plagued with chronic disease and traditional primary care provider shortages. This effort aligns with national priorities to reduce medication errors, improve health outcomes, and reduce health care costs in underserved communities.
authors.affiliation: Community-Based Research Program, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Jackson, USA. laross@umc.edu
authors.forename: Leigh Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Lauren S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Bloodworth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*