Literature Collection

Board-certified psychiatric pharmacists (BCPPs) are doctorate-level, board-certified experts in managing medications for people living with psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. BCPPs work as part of an integrated health care team that provides comprehensive medication management focused on optimizing medication-related outcomes and ensuring the safety of the prescribed medications. The authors describe BCPP education and training, settings in which BCPPs practice, and in what roles. Current policies that limit BCPP involvement in behavioral health care and proposed solutions to support the role of BCPPs in addressing behavioral health workforce shortages are discussed.

Many people face problems about physical, mental, and social dimensions of health, and may have complex needs. They often experience a mismatch between their needs and the ability of the healthcare system to meet them, resulting in under- or overutilization of the healthcare system. On one hand, improving access to community-based primary healthcare for hard-to-reach populations should bring all healthcare and social services to one point of contact, near the community. On the other hand, better addressing the unmet needs of people who overuse healthcare services calls for integrated care among providers across all settings and sectors. In either case, intersectoral action between healthcare and social professionals and resources remains central to bringing care closer to the people and the community, enhancing equitable access, and improving health status. However, efforts to implement integrated care are unevenly weighted toward clinical and professional strategies (micro level), which could jeopardize our ability to implement and sustain integrated care. The development of appropriate policies and governance mechanisms (macro level) is essential to break down silos, promote a coherent intersectoral action, and improve health equity.