Assessment of Community Pharmacists Willingness and Barriers of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) focused on Pain Management and Mental Health

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the willingness and barriers of community pharmacists to provide pain management and depression MTM services. Methods: An anonymous, self-administered survey was distributed electronically to 350 licensed pharmacists in a supermarket pharmacy chain. The survey consisted of a 40 question, Likert-type scale, where strongly disagree was assigned a value of one and strongly agree a value of seven. Constructs measured included: MTM interest, comfort with MTM, confidence with appropriate medication use and adjustment, educational needs, training required, time constraints, and work-related factors. Demographic data was also collected. Results: A total of 186 (53%) community pharmacists completed the survey. These pharmacists worked in an environment where MTM was currently being provided. Ninety percent of respondents averaged 0-5 MTM sessions per 4 week period. Pharmacists agreed that patients would benefit from MTM focused on pain (median 6 IR[5-7]) and/or depression (median 6 IR[5-7]) and agreed pharmacists can have positive interventions in these situations (pain: median 6 IR[5-7]; depression: median 6 IR[5-7]). Pharmacists surveyed were interested in continuing education and live presentation as preferred methods to improve knowledge of pain management and depression. Conclusion: Pharmacists are interested in and believe patients would benefit from MTM specifically for pain management and depression. Barriers to MTM focused on pain and depression were pharmacist training and workflow issues with the MTM process.