Development of the Core Outcome Set for Psychiatric Pharmacists

Abstract

Objective

The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) sought to develop a consensus-based set of outcomes and measures to standardize psychiatric pharmacy practice and research. The measures in this Core Outcome Set for Psychiatric Pharmacists (COS-PP) are designed to study the impact of psychiatric pharmacists caring for individuals living with psychiatric disorders.

Methods

The COS-PP was developed using guidelines from the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative. A committee systematically reviewed a catalog of 194 articles and 40 posters that referenced psychiatric disorders, patient-level outcomes, and pharmacist interventions. From these initial 234 resources, 554 combinations of outcomes and measures were identified. Additional papers, guidelines, and feedback from experts increased the number to 592 combined outcomes and measures. The principal investigator consolidated the list to 46 potential outcomes. AAPP members were invited to complete a survey rating the 46 potential outcomes on five key factors: comprehensive, attributable to pharmacy, feasible, scientifically sound, and usable. These survey results were provided to the 18 Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists participating in a summit examining the potential outcomes and measures gleaned from literature review. Through discussion and refinement, consensus was achieved on the final COS-PP.

Results

The final COS-PP included 21 outcomes, 14 of which included at least 1 measure (84 total measures). The outcomes were grouped according to the quadruple health care aims: better care, reduced healthcare costs, improved patient experience, and improved clinician well-being.

Conclusions

COS-PP will help define psychiatric pharmacists' support of the interdisciplinary team in addressing the quadruple health care aims. Using standardized outcomes across practice sites will allow aggregation of data on the impact of psychiatric pharmacists on patient care.