Pharmacists as Mid-Level Practitioners/Providers

Abstract

With recent changes in health-care delivery, the profession of pharmacy is presented with opportunities for expanded involvement in direct patient care as mid-level practitioners/providers. Will pharmacists be proactive in realizing these opportunities? Expanding current roles to improve medication-related health outcomes for patients will require that pharmacists establish collaborative practice relationships, differentiate our unique services from those of other mid-level practitioners/providers, and share these results with the public and other health-care providers. This article encourages pharmacists to advocate for advancing pharmacy practice to meet the needs of society, to continue the dialogue regarding an expanded scope of practice for pharmacists as mid-level practitioners/providers, and to actively engage in developing these new roles.