title: The role of the clinical pharmacist in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Team-based cardiovascular care, including the use of clinical pharmacists, can efficiently deliver high-quality care. This Joint Council Perspectives paper from the Cardiovascular Team and Prevention Councils of the American College of Cardiology provides background information on the clinical pharmacist's role, training, certification, and potential utilization in a variety of practice models. Selected systematic reviews and meta-analyses, highlighting the benefit of clinical pharmacy services, are summarized. Clinical pharmacists have a substantial effect in a wide variety of roles in inpatient and ambulatory settings, largely through optimization of drug use, avoidance of adverse drug events, and transitional care activities focusing on medication reconciliation and patient education. Expansion of clinical pharmacy services is often impeded by policy, legislation, and compensation barriers. Multidisciplinary organizations, including the American College of Cardiology, should support efforts to overcome these barriers, allowing pharmacists to deliver high-quality patient care to the full extent of their education and training.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia. Electronic address: spdunn@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Kim K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Birtcher
authors.affiliation: UK HealthCare, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Beavers
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, Connecticut.
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: UK HealthCare, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Sara D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Brouse
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bittner
authors.affiliation: St. Vincent Heart Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
authors.forename: Mary Norine
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000592:standards*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital
keywords: collaborative practice; medication adherence; medication therapy management; team-based care