Integration of a clinical pharmacist into the healthcare home (HCH)

Mental health is intrinsically linked to general medical health. People with severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMIs) have been reported to have higher rates of infectious diseases, type 2 diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular disease. They also have 1.5 to 2 times the prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity than the general population. Healthcare Homes (HCHs) are an integrated treatment approach allowing for psychiatric and medical conditions to be addressed collaboratively. The HCH model promotes open communication among healthcare providers, wellness education, and preventative care. Physicians and nurses are mandatory providers within the HCH. Pharmacists are not routine members of this new approach to care. This article will describe an example of how psychiatric pharmacy services have been incorporated into a HCH. It also calls for advocacy within the specialty of psychiatric pharmacy in an effort to encourage state and government policy changes that mandate the add...