Student pharmacists from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) will assist HMSA and University Health Partners to perform Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for people with chronic diseases in the state of Hawaiʻi.
“Our most qualified students will be putting their technical knowledge and people skills to work to help patients achieve better outcomes from their medications,” said DKICP Dean Rae Matsumoto.
MTM services will be available statewide via telehealth. HMSA will identify a subset of members that will be eligible for this early phase of the program. MTM students will help review a patient’s medication to ensure they are being used appropriately, answering any drug-related questions and determining the most cost-effective options. MTM students will help review a patient’s medication to ensure they are being used appropriately, answering any drug-related questions and determining the most cost-effective options.
“Studies show that using pharmacists to provide MTM services improves medication adherence and ensures patients are on the appropriate medications and doses,” said Camlyn Masuda, DKICP associate specialist and a coordinator for the new program.
Students can apply and interview for the MTM consultant positions, which will be in addition to their academics. Working under the guidance of a pharmacist, students conduct one-on-one phone consultations with each patient about all the medications they are taking, document the information and any recommendations and share it with the patient’s physician.
“This type of work experience puts our students on the forward edge of pharmacy services being offered in healthcare today,” said Matsumoto. “We are very excited to have this opportunity to work with HMSA and University Health Partners, two of the largest healthcare providers within the state, to help in delivering better care to their patients.”
DKICP will expect the first students to be hired and start providing MTM services after the fall semester begins.
Read more at the DKICP website.
