University Pharmacy Clinic: Preventing Errors and Enhancing Lives Through Expert Medication Management.

Abstract

The University of Otago School of Pharmacy Clinic serves as a model for innovative medication management, tackling critical medication-related problems (MRPs) to enhance patient outcomes and advance pharmacy education. This study evaluated the clinic's impact, examining 456 patient consultations over four years, with a focus on MRPs such as dosing errors, non-adherence, and inadequate monitoring. Using the DOCUMENT classification system, pharmacists identified 754 MRPs and issued 836 recommendations, primarily related to medication adjustments and monitoring. Patients reported significant improvements in health-related quality of life, as measured by the SF12V2 survey, with notable gains in mental and physical health metrics. This outcome highlights the clinic's dual role in optimising patient care and providing pharmacy students with experiential learning opportunities. By integrating hands-on training within a supervised clinical environment, the clinic addresses workforce shortages and reinforces the value of pharmacist-led interventions. The findings advocate for university-based clinics as pivotal hubs for resolving MRPs through interprofessional collaboration, targeted interventions, and innovative technologies such as telepharmacy. The study underscores the need for expanded roles for clinical pharmacists in healthcare policy and practice, showcasing their potential to prevent medication errors, enhance lives, and reshape the future of pharmacy education and patient care.