Mental health support has often lagged behind that for physical health, but there is an increasing realisation that this aspect of healthcare needs more research and funding. Better integrating mental health support into primary care should lead to improved outcomes for patients and relieve some pressure on health services more broadly.
Early intervention
For most people, a pharmacist or general practitioner will be their first port of call when they are experiencing any kind of health problem, however mild. This means that it is an opportunity to ensure an accurate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan before symptoms have a chance to progress to critical. In some cases, a patient may not meet a specific diagnostic criteria but still be in a state of distress, and therefore need support.
This is not always easy. Mental health issues can still be stigmatised, and healthcare workers may, therefore, need to read between the lines if patients are reluctant to talk. It may take an extended session of more general discussion about their life and worries before patients are able to reach the point where they address their problem directly, which means doctors need time and space in which to listen. In cases where there is no clinical diagnosis or the patient does not want to be referred to specialist services, taking this time is even more important. Services such as Clinical Rx can remove some of a GP’s other duties, such as medication management and review, allowing them to focus on diagnosis.
Holistic support
Part of the value of primary care is that it allows for a more holistic approach. Other services tend to be more specialised, narrowly focusing on their particular area. The generalised nature of primary care means doctors and other healthcare professionals can deal with a range of physical and mental health issues as well as relevant non-medical factors, such as socioeconomic background, family and environment.
Chronic pain and other long-term health conditions can contribute to mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Conversely, depression and anxiety can make it harder to manage long term health conditions. A GP may be able to deal with both of these things at the same time, as well as identifying the aspects of the patient’s life that may put them more at risk, or make treatment more difficult.
Treatment for mental health problems may involve a mix of medication and therapy. Sometimes, it also requires changes to their living and working environment. To provide the most comprehensive service, all of these aspects need to be considered, and that means that a range of different professionals need to be involved, both in the primary care facility and in other providers, such as the local authority. Only when everyone works together, from doctors to nurses to clinical pharmacists to therapists to social workers, can people’s mental health be truly supported.
Providing effective mental health support in primary care is about listening, counteracting stigma, reducing distress, early intervention and holistic support. This means time, space and funding need to have been adequately allocated, and healthcare professionals need knowledge of the latest research and best practices.
What services does Clinical Rx provide?
In general, clinical pharmacists exist to help with the management of medication. They ensure patients receive the correct prescription, that it works as intended, that potential side effects are monitored, that their dosage is adjusted as needed, and that reviews are carried out as necessary. This is of particular use for those with chronic conditions who require long term management, and who are particularly reliant on the ongoing support of their GP practice.
Utilisation of clinical pharmacists allows the practice as a whole to work more efficiently, ensuring doctors can focus on more complex diagnoses and treatments, and it improves the patient experience by providing them with quicker and more tailored care. Increased efficiency in time, organisation and costs ensures ARRS funding is put to good use, to the benefit of a practice or entire PCN.
There are several benefits to utilising the services of Clinical Rx, in particular, which works as a remote clinical pharmacist provider supporting a range of PCNs and practices as needed on a flexible basis. As well as streamlining prescription management and reviews, relieving pressure on GPs, and improving patient care, it can clear the backlog and help meet QOF targets. Meeting QOF targets, in particular, allows you to be rewarded for good performance, increasing your practice income. This makes ARRS funding a profitable investment as well as one that is effective in terms of patient outcomes.
It can be a difficult decision to decide how best to use ARRS funding, but Clinical Rx can provide specific benefits for patients and doctors both in terms of efficiency and cost effectiveness. This leads to better outcomes for everyone in the PCN or practice, and for the PCN or practice itself.
For improved outcomes, we believe that communication is vital between the different professions. At Clinical Rx®, we welcome feedback and reviews, so we can continue to offer the best possible service. By working together, the team can better address the complex needs of patients, improve outcomes, and enhance the overall patient experience. Ultimately, the goal is to provide high-quality care in a collaborative and patient-centred approach.Â
Our Pharmacists are not limited to medication management only. We understand that every GP Practice has different needs at times. Whether it be assistance with protocols, quality improvement work or additional work for CQC inspections – we can help, contact us for more information.Â
References: 1. Duncan, P. et al. (2020) ‘Barriers and enablers to collaborative working between GPS and Pharmacists: A qualitative interview study’, British Journal of General Practice, 70(692). doi:10.3399/bjgp20x708197.
