"Clinical Pharmacist"

[alswl]

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Hi,
After reading and researching on different practice areas of pharmacy, I became confused about the term "clinical pharmacist".
Does clinical pharmacist include pharmacists working in hospital, ambulatory care, etc.? Involved more with direct interaction with the patients and so forth?

What other roles do "clinical pharmacists" play and where do they usually work?
Thanks

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Depends on who you ask....seriously...

I'd define it simply as a pharmacist that uses his/her knowledge-base in the treatment of a patient.

I know that sounds ******ed, but that's pretty much all it is....

 

[sdn1977]

I'd agree with WVU. That pretty much encompasses all pharmacists.

 

[drugdoc]

In my hospital a clinical means a pharmacist who works on the dosing...vancomycin, warfarin, TPN's, PPN's, heparin etc. Someone who uses their 'special' skills; not just reviewing/entering orders or checking orders or overseeing the techs.

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

Clinical pharmacists are pharmacists who go through residency programs after they graduate and get their license. Most clinical pharmacists specialize in one particular aspect of pharmacy practice like oncology, neonatal pharmacy, infectious diseases etc. In the hospitals, they work alongside doctors and make sure that the treatment the patients are receiving are appropriate. They are responsible for making sure that the treatment the patient is receiving is working. Clinical pharmacists, in hospitals, also typically attend the Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics committee which decides what medications to include in the hospitals' formulary. They take into account the treatment efficacy and cost effectiveness of each drug before including them in the list. They also develop program protocols for certain drugs or treatment.
Clinical pharmacists work in different pharmacy settings not just hospitals. They may work in a clinic as a nuclear pharmacists, in community pharmacy, etc. Not all pharmacists who work in the hospital or other setting are clinical pharmacists although they may still work directly with patients or doctors. The designation "clinical pharmacist" is earned by going through a residency program for 1-2 years after getting a PharmD degree.
Just my two cents. 🙂

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Ah....the young whipper snappers and their crazy idealism....

 

[KARM12]

Ah....the young whipper snappers and their crazy idealism....

I remember those days until rotations phased me....

 

[njac]

and then there are some hospitals where every pharmacist is a "clinical pharmacist" (those who do order entry) and then the patient care specialty pharmacists are "clinical specialists"

so terminology varies from institution to institution too.