%0 Journal Article
%T Expanding Access to Patient Care in Community Pharmacies for Minor Illnesses in Washington State.
%A Akers JM
%A Miller JC
%A Seignemartin B
%A MacLean LG
%A Mandal B
%A Kogan C
%J Clinicoecon Outcomes Res
%V 16
%N 0
%D 2024
%M 38716161
暂无%R 10.2147/CEOR.S452743
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>As the shortage of primary care providers widens nationwide, access to care utilizing non-physician providers is one strategy to ensure equitable access to care. This study aimed to compare community pharmacist-provided care for minor ailments to care provided at three traditional sites of care: primary care, urgent care, and emergency department, to determine if care provided by pharmacists improved access with comparable quality and reduced financial strain on the healthcare system.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Pharmacy data was provided from 46 pharmacies and 175 pharmacists who participated across five pharmacy corporations over a 3-year period (2016-2019). Data for non-pharmacy sites of care was provided by a large health plan, matching episodes of care for conditions seen in the community pharmacy. Cost-of-care analysis was conducted using superiority study design and revisit data analysis was conducted using noninferiority study design.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Median cost-of-care across traditional sites of care was $277.78 higher than care provided at the pharmacies, showing superiority. Noninferiority was demonstrated for revisit care when the initial visit was conducted by a pharmacist compared to traditional sites.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The authors conclude community pharmacist-provided care for minor ailments improved cost-effective access for patients with comparable quality and reduced financial strains on the healthcare system.