Primary Care Providers Believe That Comprehensive Medication Management Improves Their Work-Life

Abstract

Purpose: In primary care, clinical pharmacists often deliver a service called comprehensive medication management (CMM). While research has identified that CMM positively influences most aspects of the Quadruple Aim, it is unclear how CMM-both the service and the role of the pharmacist-may influence the primary care provider's (PCP) clinical work, professional satisfaction, and burnout (described here as PCP's work-life). We aimed to identify how PCPs perceive CMM impacts their work-life.

Methods: Sixteen PCPs were interviewed. Interview questions centered on how CMM affects their work-life. After interviews were transcribed, a codebook was developed by 2 researchers and from the codes, themes were identified.

Results: PCPs spoke of the pharmacist being an added skillset and resource and a collaborative partner in caring for patients. They also described 7 outcomes of having CMM available that contribute to their work-life. These outcomes were: decreased workload, satisfaction patients are receiving better care, reassurance, decreased mental exhaustion, enhanced professional learning, increased provider access, and achievement of quality measures. Lastly, the PCPs described barriers and areas of opportunity related to CMM.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest PCPs believe CMM, in general, positively affects their work-life. CMM's impact on PCPs aligns with many previously identified drivers of burnout and engagement among providers. These results shed light on how CMM may foster achievement of the Quadruple Aim.

Keywords: CMM; Job Satisfaction; Occupational Burnout; Pharmacists; Primary Health Care; Workload.