ACCP promotes new vision of widespread certification
ACCP promotes new vision of widespread certification
Financial challenges must be overcome
The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) is working to bring to reality its vision that in 20 to 30 years, most clinical pharmacy practitioners will be board-certified specialists. A White Paper released late in 2006 developed a rationale for the vision, described specialty board certification in pharmacy, and made recommendations for attaining the vision.
The White Paper says there is debate within the pharmacy profession over who should be required to receive specific credentials. Several types of credentials are voluntarily sought by pharmacists to demonstrate specialized skills and knowledge. Credentials in pharmacy can be obtained through a variety of ways. For example, according to the paper, they can be acquired through receipt of a certificate after completion of a lengthy and targeted disease state-specific continuing education program, or through the rigorous examination process required to become board certified by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS).
In 1976, the American Pharmaceutical Association established the BPS to grant specialty certification to qualified pharmacists. Five specialty practice areas have been established — nuclear pharmacy, nutrition support, pharmacotherapy, psychiatric pharmacy, and oncology pharmacy. Each of the five specialties shares the BPS core mission to improve health through recognition and promotion of specialized training, knowledge, and skills in pharmacy. As of December 2005, more than 5,000 pharmacists were BPS certified.
ACCP says the value of BPS certification is seen on many levels. Although the fundamental intent of certification has been to enhance patient care, board certified pharmacists have experienced personal and professional benefits. They believe certification increases their marketability and acceptance by other healthcare professionals, improves feelings of self-worth, and differentiates them from general practice pharmacists. In addition, some board-certified pharmacists report receiving financial rewards, including salary increases, job promotion, bonus pay, and direct compensation for services.
Pharmacists will have different training
ACCP suggests that as pharmacy education continues to evolve, in 20 to 30 years there will be a critical mass of graduating pharmacists who have the foundational knowledge and skill needed to provide direct patient care. At that time, it says, the professional degree program will be designed to prepare graduates for entry into residency training, if they intend to pursue a career as a patient care provider. Residency training will be required of graduating pharmacists who provide direct patient care and will consist of professional experiences with real accountability for providing care.
"Hence, graduate pharmacists will be educated and trained within a burgeoning healthcare culture that more fully recognizes and understands clinical pharmacy," the white paper said. "Board certification will be incorporated into the vision, commitment, and fortitude of the profession."
ACCP said board certification of clinical pharmacy practitioners should be used as a marker of quality because it is an indicator of an individual's knowledge at a predefined level that has been rigorously validated. It said that supports the rationale for using the established BPS mechanism as a quality indicator for pharmaceutical care. And the rationale is further supported by the premise that individuals who pass a BPS examination have and should be able to apply a broad range of knowledge that includes patient-specific pharmacotherapy, mechanisms for the interpretation and dissemination of knowledge, and health system-related information.
According to ACCP, several factors need to be considered as pharmacists move into roles as providers of clinical pharmacy services. First, most other healthcare professionals who are considered providers of direct patient care are required to be board certified and are expected to maintain their credentials. Second, recognition of the pharmacist as a provider may influence reimbursement for cognitive services. Third, pharmacists in advanced practice roles have increased professional liability as a consequence of providing clinical services. And a standardized system of credentialing, such as BPS certification, may provide a mechanism to address these concerns.
The white paper listed financial barriers to achieving the vision, including the lack of dependence on compensation for clinical pharmacy services on BPS certification. Payers have not yet used board certification as a criterion for compensation, the paper said, and while it may not be the sole criterion for compensation eligibility, it should be used as a defensible means of demonstrating advanced knowledge in pharmacotherapy. Employers are not yet universally requiring clinical pharmacy practitioners to be board certified. But if employee compensation were affected by certification status, the barrier would be diminished.
The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) is working to bring to reality its vision that in 20 to 30 years, most clinical pharmacy practitioners will be board-certified specialists. A White Paper released late in 2006 developed a rationale for the vision, described specialty board certification in pharmacy, and made recommendations for attaining the vision.Subscribe Now for Access
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