(124) Strengthening the Behavioral and Mental Health Workforce Through Pharmacy Education

Objective : The United States is facing difficulties ensuring a sufficient mental health workforce, including pharmacists with specialized training in psychiatry. The objective is to describe a pharmacy school’s approach to enhance pre- and postgraduate training in psychiatry to address workforce needs.

Methods: A proposal highlighting the need for expanded psychiatric pharmacy training was requested as a specific line item (ie, “proviso”) within a supplemental operating appropriations bill by school and hospital leadership during the state legislative session with advocacy from the state pharmacy association. The proviso funding was requested for two PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy residency positions and a faculty clinician to support the program and expand behavioral health training opportunities for pharmacy students and pharmacists. In parallel, a psychiatric training needs assessment of pharmacists using a cross-sectional design was conducted as part of a workforce study to provide insight into training gaps the school and residency program could address through added expertise, programmatic offerings, and training support. The assessment was distributed to licensed pharmacists in the state (n=8,082).

Results: The proviso was included in the final appropriations bill and enacted into law resulting in a faculty hire, appointment of a program director, residency program development, successful matching of inaugural residency class, and subsequent placement of residents in employed positions within the state. The workforce study had a 10% response rate and identified the need for psychiatry focused continuing education opportunities and detailed referral resources to psychiatric specialists.

Conclusions: The proactive approach taken by a school of pharmacy demonstrates progress in addressing the mental health workforce shortage. This serves as a model for other states and academic institutions facing similar workforce challenges, offering a promising pathway to improve psychiatric care.