An expert panel assessment of comprehensive medication reviews for clients of community mental health teams

Few studies have investigated strategies to identify and resolve drug-related problems among clients of community mental health teams (CMHTs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact and appropriateness of comprehensive medication reviews for clients of CMHTs. Trained pharmacists conducted interviews (30-45 min each) with clients of CMHTs to identify actual and potential drug-related problems. The pharmacists prepared medication review reports that detailed their findings and recommendations to optimize drug therapy. An expert panel comprising a psychiatrist, general medical practitioner, mental health pharmacist and medication review pharmacist evaluated reviews for 48 clients of 5 CMHTs. Panelists independently assessed review findings, review recommendations, likelihood of recommendation implementation and the overall expected clinical impact. Two hundred and nine medication review findings and 208 medication review recommendations were evaluated. Panelists agreed with 76% of findings and considered that 81% of recommendations were appropriate. Collectively, 69% of recommendations were considered likely to be implemented. Thirty-seven (77%) reviews were deemed potentially to have a positive clinical impact. The agreement between panelists was statistically significant (P < 0.01) for the assessment of the findings, recommendations and likelihood of recommendation implementation. Pharmacists' findings and recommendations to optimize drug therapy were considered appropriate and likely to result in improved clinical outcomes. Comprehensive medication reviews may be a valuable strategy to identify and resolve drug-related problems among clients of CMHTs.