Evaluation of the Clinical Pharmacist Role in a Health Care Team; a Comparative Approach

Background: Clinical pharmacy services were started in 1997 in India, in contrast to developed countries where the services were started in early 1960s. However 15 years have been passed out after the introduction of clinical pharmacy in India, but still the involvement of clinical pharmacist in the health care team is negligible. Objective: To elevate the clinical pharmacist role in the health care team, to justify the liaison between health care professionals and to promote better quality of life in chronic disease patients a prospective observational and interventional study was carried out. Setting: Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, an 800 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital, Kadapa, India. Main Outcome: Progression of Quality of Life in chronic disease patients. Results: 200 patients were recruited belonging to age ≥40 years; they were divided in to Observational Group (100) and Interventional Group (100). Each group consist of 25 patients for Hypertension (25), Stoke (25), Diabetes Mellitus (25) and Asthma (25). Major risk factors identified as age, obesity, cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, alcohol, diet, hereditary, allergens, seasons. Laboratory levels were compared between groups with p = 0.0049 (Observational Group), p=0.0081 (Interventional Group). Significant results obtained for medication adherence in Interventional Group (p=0.0003), Knowledge, Aptitude and Practice assessment between groups yielded significant results in Interventional Group as follows in Hypertension (p=<0.0001), Diabetes Mellitus (p=<0.0001), Stroke (p=<0.0001) and Asthma (p=<0.0001). significant results were observed for Quality of Life in Interventional Group as follows Hypertension (Physical Components- p=0.0036; Mental Components - p=<0.0001), Diabetes Mellitus (Physical Components-p=0.0221; Mental Components - p=0.0014), Stroke (Physical Components- p=0.0015; Mental Components-p=0.0038) and Asthma (Physical Components- p=0.0117; Mental Components- p=0.0043). Conclusion: Clinical pharmacist role will be elevated in health care team by promoting intrinsic services to doctors, by maintaining the diplomatic liaison between health care professionals and a decent patient-pharmacist relation improves the patient’s knowledge on disease and which makes their better Quality of Life.