Standardized reporting on studies of psychiatric pharmacist interventions

Reporting interventions thoroughly and consistently in the literature allows for study reproducibility or implementation of the intervention into practice. Although there is currently no standard for describing Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) interventions in the published literature, there are multiple checklists or guides that have been developed for reporting clinical interventions, including the template for intervention description and replication and the pharmacist patient care intervention reporting (PaCIR) checklist, that seek to improve the quality of reporting interventions in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to describe a proposed guide for reporting BCPP interventions in the literature by expanding the PaCIR checklist. Authors use a logic model developed by the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists to ensure all elements of the process are addressed in the expanded guide

Exploring the harm reduction paradigm: the role of Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists

Deaths related to opioid overdoses continue to climb, and there remains a need for innovative strategies to address this ongoing crisis. Harm reduction (HR), a nonjudgmental philosophy aimed at reducing consequences associated with drug use and other potentially unsafe behavior, has emerged as a compassionate and effective approach. Harm reduction further emphasizes overdose prevention and fosters a shift in perspective that recognizes substance use disorder as a disease and not a moral failing. The tenets of HR collectively advocate for the well-being of individuals who use substances and support any positive change as defined by the individual. Given the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with substance misuse and barriers or ambivalence to receiving treatment, awareness of and advocacy for HR practice is essential. This manuscript aims to describe evidence-based HR interventions, provide a foundation for the implementation of services, and further promote the importance of providing humanistic care without judgment. As valued members of the multidisciplinary treatment team, Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists should implement and engage in HR services in the settings where people with substance use disorders receive care

Psychotropic stewardship: Advancing patient care

Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPPs) practice in a variety of inpatient and outpatient health care settings as part of collaborative, multidisciplinary teams. The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) has promoted the expansion of psychiatric pharmacy through the development of psychotropic stewardship programs (PSPs). Based on the standards developed during the creation and expansion of antimicrobial stewardship programs, psychotropic stewardship promotes the safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medications. AAPP envisions every patient with a psychiatric diagnosis will have their medication treatment plan reviewed, optimized, and managed by a psychotropic stewardship team with a psychiatric pharmacist as a co-leader. Because of variations in practice site resources, patient populations, and provider collaboration, the creation and implementation of PSPs should be based on site-specific needs and opportunities. Initial patient identification could prioritize those prescribed multiple medications, high-risk psychotropics, or comorbid medical diagnoses. However, every patient prescribed a psychotropic medication should have the opportunity to work with a PSP. Incremental implementation may be required during the planning stages of stewardship teams. Use of clinical practice-related core outcomes will allow for the optimization of program resources, increased recognition, and improved patient outcomes. PSPs should be patient-focused and integrate patients' preferences and access to recommended treatment options. The eventual goal of PSP implementation is official recognition by key regulatory agencies as a standard of care for patients who receive a diagnosis of a psychiatric or substance use disorder