The Need for Board Certified Pharmacy SpecialistsMA Cruz, MT Le, C Wang, CA Zavala

Class of 2018

Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Rangel College of Pharmacy

Project Overview

The number of PGY1 and PGY2 residencies

offered in the past 5 years will be compared

to the residencies of the type recognized by

Board of Pharmacy Specialties as clinical

specialties.

The growth and need of board certified

pharmacy specialists will be investigated.

Background

Currently, there are eight specialty practice

areas recognized by the Board of Pharmacy

Specialties3.

1. Ambulatory Care Pharmacy

2. Critical Care Pharmacy

3. Nuclear Pharmacy

4. Nutrition Support Pharmacy

5. Oncology Pharmacy

6. Pediatric Pharmacy

7. Pharmacotherapy

8. Psychiatric Pharmacy

PGY2 residencies are accredited programs

that build upon competencies established in

PGY1 residency training1. Residency

programs and accreditation standards are

constantly changing to meet the needs of

practitioners, patients, and employers7.

Pharmacy specialists are needed to provide

direct patient care to the most complex group of

patients in need of specialty care. Pharmacists

without specialty training cannot provide the

same effective or efficient standard of care7.

References1. "ASHP Resident Matching Program." ASHP Match Statistics. Web. 16 Mar. 2016. <https://natmatch.com/ashprmp/aboutstats.html>.

2. American Pharmacists Association. Clinical Specialists. APhA Career Pathway Evaluation Program for Pharmacy Professionals, 11 July 13. PDF.

3. "BPS Specialties | Board of Pharmacy Specialties." Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

4. Value of BPS Certification. Prod. Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Rewards of Certification. Board of Pharmacy Specialties, 25 June 2013. Web. 16 Mar. 2016. <http://www.bpsweb.org/impact-of-bps-

certification/rewards-of-certification/>.

5. Pharmacist Integral to Healthcare Team. Prod. Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Making a Difference. Board of Pharmacy Specialties, 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=109&v=jUR4_BjW6R8>.

6. Johnson, Thomas J. "Pharmacist Work Force in 2020: Implications of Requiring Residency Training for Practice." American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 65.2 (2008): 166-70. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

7. Letendre DE, Brooks PJ, Degenhart ML. “The evolution of pharmacy residency training programs and corresponding standards of accreditation.” Pharmacy Practice Management Quarterly 15.2 (1995).

Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

8. Ragucci, Kelly R., Cindy L. O'bryant, Kristin Bova Campbell, Marcia L. Buck, William E. Dager, Jennifer L. Donovan, Kayleigh Emerson, Paul O. Gubbins, Robert J. Haight, Cynthia Jackevicius, John E.

Murphy, and Emily Prohaska. "The Need for PGY2-Trained Clinical Pharmacy Specialists." Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy Pharmacotherapy 34.6 (2014).

Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

9. Schommer, Jon C., Lawrence M. Brown, and Elliott M. Sogol. "Work Profiles Identified from the 2007 Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Scientist Career Pathway Profile Survey." Am J Pharm Educ

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 72.1 (2008): 02. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

Conclusion

The role of the pharmacist is moving from

providing a commodity to direct patient care

including medication therapy management6.

Specialization is becoming increasingly

important and it is considered the gold

standard when determining a pharmacist’s

qualifications and capabilities within their

specialty field5. The American College of

Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the

American Society of Health-System

Pharmacists (ASHP) are aiming for full

implementation of residency prerequisites

prior to working in hospital settings6.

Board certified pharmacy specialists are

found to be experts in their fields. They are

the most qualified to manage complex drug

therapies4. Therefore, they are highly

sought for their knowledge, experience, and

skills.

Hypothesis

Pharmacists receiving board certification and

specialized training will find themselves as

experts in their specialty fields, with smaller

applicant pools, and with greater job

placement opportunities.

Results

There have been overall significant increases in the number of PGY1 and PGY2 residencies.

The number of PGY2 residencies for specialties recognized by BPS have increased.

The number of Board Certified Pharmacy Specialists have more than quintupled since 2003.

Discussion

The success of the healthcare team

depends on the knowledge and experience

of each member5.

The goal of improving patient care can be

accomplished through the process of

increased certification4.

Advantages to becoming board certified

include professional satisfaction,

recognition from peers, and the opportunity

to further one’s career.

While there is a great need for trained

clinical pharmacy specialists, especially

those that have completed PGY2, the lack

of funding or site capacity limitations can

limit the hiring of trained specialists8.

Data

Collected from the National Matching Services Inc. 2011-2015

Statistics for Residencies and Programs.

Board of Pharmacy Specialties have recently recognized

Pediatrics and Critical Care as specialties (within the last 6 years).