Cost-benefit Analysis of a Clinical Pharmacist Intervention

A baseline interview by the clinical pharmacist was conducted with patients at their homes to assess their use of treatment and to collect all relevant information needed to identify TRPs. Upon TRP identification at baseline, the clinical pharmacist generated a written report of findings and recommendations, which was delivered directly to the patient's physician in a sealed envelope. Patients were asked to refer back to their physicians if they required confirmation of any changes in treatment. Physicians maintained the blinding of patients with regard to whether changes were based on recommendations by the pharmacist. In both the intervention and the control groups, the clinical pharmacist performed a follow-up interview with patients 3 months after the initial interview, during a regular follow-up visit to their physician at the hospital. Assessments in the follow-up interview, regardless of the study group, involved changes in treatment and number of TRPs.