Practice Characteristics and Geographic Distribution of Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners in North Carolina.
BACKGROUND
Clinical pharmacist practitioners (CPPs) are specially credentialed pharmacists in North Carolina. CPPs potentially play an important role in meeting the health care needs of populations in rural and underserved areas.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic survey sent to all active and inactive CPPs in North Carolina. The survey consisted of 36 multiple-choice and free text questions. Respondents were queried regarding qualifications, experience, practice characteristics, and perceived rewards and challenges of CPP practice.


RESULTS
Survey responses were received from 54 active CPPs and 22 inactive CPPs, for an overall response rate of 65.5%. Forty-one active CPPs (75.9%) and 14 inactive CPPs (63.6%) came from ambulatory care backgrounds. Twenty-eight active CPPs (51.9%) and 11 inactive CPPs (50.0%) practiced in an urban setting, while 7 active CPPs (13.0%) and 3 inactive CPPs (13.6%) practiced in a rural setting. The majority of CPPs work in larger practices. Thirty-three active CPPs (61.1%) and 12 inactive CPPs (54.5%) were paid by the institutions for which they were employed.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall survey response rate was only 65.5%. Additionally, the majority of survey questions were in a multiple-choice format, which may have prevented more honest reflection.


CONCLUSIONS
Active CPPs most often come from ambulatory care backgrounds. Few CPPs are practicing in rural areas, a circumstance that may be related to financial viability, as most CPP practice in, and are compensated by, larger institutions such as academic health centers.
clinical pharmacy specialist, Formulary Management/Home-Based Primary Care, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Jonathan C
JC
Hale
associate professor, Pharmacy Administration, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Matthew M
MM
Murawski
professor of pharmacy, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy; adjunct professor, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Timothy_Ives@med.unc.edu.
Timothy J
TJ
Ives
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009657:North Carolina; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires