Home > Engaging Pharmacist to Improve Chronic Disease Management

Engaging Pharmacist to Improve Chronic Disease Management

Objective: To promote the adoption of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) between pharmacists and physicians for the purpose of managing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and encouraging/promoting lifestyle modification.
 

 

Timeline: November 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019.
Funder: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
Project Coordinators: Darcy Czarnik Laurin (czarniklaurinconsulting@gmail.com)

 

Michigan Health Improvement Alliance, Inc. (MiHIA), through formal partnerships with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), seeks to engage community pharmacist and non-physician team members to address programming around cardiovascular and other chronic disease related activities in central Michigan.

Through a series of interviews and focus groups, MiHIA first gained a better understanding of the role community pharmacist can play in increasing patient engagement associated with medication self-management and adherence for adults. In follow-up, MiHIA will now inform and educate community pharmacists’ about the challenges in billing for Medication Therapy Management (MTM), building pharmacist/patient and pharmacist/provider relationships.

Significance

Beginning November 2018, MiHIA and its regional partners will focus on promoting the adoption of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) between pharmacists and physicians for the purpose of managing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and encouraging/promoting lifestyle modification. This work will fall under the “Improving the Health of Americans Through Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Heart Disease and Stroke” Project (MDHHS 1815 Grant)

To achieve this, MiHIA will seek to inform and educate about pharmacists’ challenges in billing for MTM and leverage the broad MiHIA partner base to gain diverse, well-rounded feedback; engage subject matter experts to present on MTM and building the pharmacists/provider relationship at relevant events/meetings.

Goals and Key Strategies

GOAL 1: Promote the adoption of MTM between pharmacists and physicians for the purpose of managing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and lifestyle modification.

  • Key Strategy 1.1 - Gather regional input and feedback (via focus groups, individual interviews, etc.) related to community-clinical linkages, specifically between pharmacists and physicians
  • Key Strategy 1.2 - Present report findings and partner implementation plans to MiHIA Board of Directors, MDHHS, and relevant regional stakeholders
STATUS: In-Progress - Project Coordinator secured; work plan developed and outreaches and planning have began

GOAL 2: Present at clinical conferences on medication therapy management and building the pharmacist/provider relationship.

  • Key Strategy 2.1 - Coordinate with MDHHS to identify clinical conferences
  • Key Strategy 2.2 - Engage and secure subject matter experts (SME) to present at speaking opportunities
STATUS: In-Progress - Project Coordinator secured; work plan developed and outreaches and planning have began

GOAL 3: Maintain and enhance partnership with Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Unit (HDSP), at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

  • Strategy 3.1 - Attend monthly group calls, and sub-committee meetings as needed
STATUS: In-Progress - Project Coordinator secured; work plan developed and outreaches and planning have began

Partners

Tools & Resources

Learn More

Please contact the Project Coordinator, Darcy Czarnik Laurin (czarniklaurinconsulting@gmail.com), for additional information.
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance