Ahead of the UK’s 2026 regulatory changes, which will give all new pharmacist registrants full and independent prescribing rights, a new paper offers a critique of a Pharmacist Clinician Model, outlining the need for such a model and offering a systematic approach to its safe and effective development.
A Pharmacists Clinician Model integrates pharmacists into a multidisciplinary care framework within the NHS, giving pharmacists increased responsibilities and incorporating pharmaceutical care needs with wider clinical assessment, diagnostic and clinical management responsibilities.
The researchers stated that a ‘paradigm shift’ is expected for the model to be fully developed, which will profoundly impact pharmacist professional identity and practice, and positively contribute a collaborative clinical workforce.
In critiquing the model, the researchers considered for key areas: the definition of a ‘clinician’, the need for pharmacists as part of the clinician workforce, system requirements to operationalise a Pharmacist Clinician Model as part of a collaborative clinical workforce, and differentiation among clinician professional characteristics.
The researchers determined that to successfully integrate pharmacist clinicians, several crucial factors must be in place. These include the need for clinical autonomy, allowing pharmacists to make clinical decisions within a collaborative service structure, a well-defined scope for their practice, and a specified set of core clinical skills.
Additionally, environmental, social, and legislative changes are required in the workplace so that pharmacist clinicians can apply their knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice. Education programmes would also be valuable, which train pharmacist clinicians in horizontal and vertical skills such as communication and teamwork, as well as specialised clinical knowledge and skills.
This has the potential to deliver efficient and dynamic workforce transformation, the researchers said, and allow pharmacists to utilise their full range of skills to care for patients.
The researchers concluded that there is a need for the regulation of advanced and consultant pharmacists to assure patients, employing organisations and clinician colleagues of the level of pharmacist clinician practice whilst maintaining professional standards and safe and effective patient care.
Reference
Rushworth, G et al. A Pharmacist Clinician Model as part of a collaborative clinical workforce: A philosophical critique. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy 2024; 15 Jun: DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.06.006.
