TY - JOUR
AU - I. Lakada
AU - M. Stutsky
AU - C. Huỳnh
AU - S. Periyasamy
AU - A. Idusuyi
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical factors that impact health outcomes. Pharmacists within integrated health system specialty pharmacies (HSSPs) are positioned to identify and address SDOH barriers. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to implement and evaluate a pharmacist-led SDOH program for HSSP patients. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: The practice innovation was implemented within four health systems in Michigan and Massachusetts with associated HSSPs and a standard specialty pharmacy clinical management model incorporating initial patient counseling and periodic reassessments. PRACTICE INNOVATION: A SDOH screening and intervention program was developed and piloted at four health systems with associated HSSPs. Patients with HIV, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and hyperlipidemia meeting pre-defined inclusion criteria were enrolled in the program from September 2023 through September 2024. After screening patients for SDOH barriers, pharmacists offered targeted interventions and structured follow-ups to ensure resolution of challenges. EVALUATION METHODS: Patients enrolled in the program were analyzed using data extracted from the electronic medical record and patient management platform. The primary outcome was intervention acceptance rate; secondary outcomes included intervention categories, patient-perceived value of interventions, ongoing support needs, pharmacist time spent, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients (HIV: n=6; RA: n=27; hyperlipidemia: n=17) enrolled, 56% completed screening and 79% of those accepted interventions. Of the 19 patients who received follow-up, 63% found the interventions beneficial, and 4 required ongoing support. The most frequent interventions included food security/nutrition (46%) and physical activity (25%). The average time per intervention was 60 minutes (range: 15-180 minutes). Patients with interventions demonstrated clinical outcomes improvements, including a mean RAPID3 score reduction of 3 points (range: 1.3-27.3) and mean LDL reduction of 29.75 mg/dL (range: 44-137) for RA and hyperlipidemia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot results suggest that a pharmacist-led SDOH program may be effective in addressing patient barriers, demonstrated by high acceptance rate and perceived benefit of interventions and improved clinical outcomes.
AD - Clinical Pharmacist II; Shields Health Solutions; Stoughton, MA.; Director, Healthcare Value and Outcomes Demonstration; Shields Health Solutions; Stoughton, MA. Electronic address: mstutsky@shieldsrx.com.; Director of Clinical Strategy and Transformation; Shields Health Solutions; Stoughton, MA.; Senior Clinical Analyst; Shields Health Solutions; Stoughton, MA.; Director of Operations; Shields Health Solutions; Stoughton, MA.
AN - 41421420
BT - J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
C5 - Education & Workforce
DA - Dec 18
DO - 10.1016/j.japh.2025.103008
DP - NLM
ET - 20251218
JF - J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical factors that impact health outcomes. Pharmacists within integrated health system specialty pharmacies (HSSPs) are positioned to identify and address SDOH barriers. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to implement and evaluate a pharmacist-led SDOH program for HSSP patients. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: The practice innovation was implemented within four health systems in Michigan and Massachusetts with associated HSSPs and a standard specialty pharmacy clinical management model incorporating initial patient counseling and periodic reassessments. PRACTICE INNOVATION: A SDOH screening and intervention program was developed and piloted at four health systems with associated HSSPs. Patients with HIV, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and hyperlipidemia meeting pre-defined inclusion criteria were enrolled in the program from September 2023 through September 2024. After screening patients for SDOH barriers, pharmacists offered targeted interventions and structured follow-ups to ensure resolution of challenges. EVALUATION METHODS: Patients enrolled in the program were analyzed using data extracted from the electronic medical record and patient management platform. The primary outcome was intervention acceptance rate; secondary outcomes included intervention categories, patient-perceived value of interventions, ongoing support needs, pharmacist time spent, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients (HIV: n=6; RA: n=27; hyperlipidemia: n=17) enrolled, 56% completed screening and 79% of those accepted interventions. Of the 19 patients who received follow-up, 63% found the interventions beneficial, and 4 required ongoing support. The most frequent interventions included food security/nutrition (46%) and physical activity (25%). The average time per intervention was 60 minutes (range: 15-180 minutes). Patients with interventions demonstrated clinical outcomes improvements, including a mean RAPID3 score reduction of 3 points (range: 1.3-27.3) and mean LDL reduction of 29.75 mg/dL (range: 44-137) for RA and hyperlipidemia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot results suggest that a pharmacist-led SDOH program may be effective in addressing patient barriers, demonstrated by high acceptance rate and perceived benefit of interventions and improved clinical outcomes.
PY - 2025
SN - 1086-5802
SP - 103008
ST - Implementation and outcomes of a pharmacist-led social determinants of health screening and intervention program in an integrated health system specialty pharmacy model
T1 - Implementation and outcomes of a pharmacist-led social determinants of health screening and intervention program in an integrated health system specialty pharmacy model
T2 - J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
TI - Implementation and outcomes of a pharmacist-led social determinants of health screening and intervention program in an integrated health system specialty pharmacy model
U1 - Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.1016/j.japh.2025.103008
VO - 1086-5802
Y1 - 2025
ER -