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Published online: 19 February 2016
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016
Abstract This paper describes key events in pharmaceutical education, training, practice, and research that have occurred over the past 55 years. Some of these events included the development of the doctor of pharmacy degree, residency training, and co-location of clinical pharmacists in patient care areas. These changes not only necessitated more specialized training but then led to board certification to ensure quality patient care. Specific examples of the research that have supported the involvement of clinical pharmacists in direct patient care will be discussed.
1 Introduction
The role of pharmacists in direct patient care is increasing, especially as the population ages. The role of clinical pharmacists underwent important changes from the 1960s through 1990s as their participation in direct patient care increased. Understanding the development of clinical pharmacy helps to establish new models of team-based care, particularly for older populations experiencing many co-morbidities and who receive numerous medications.
This article discusses the history of clinical pharmacy in the USA and estimates future trends in hospital and ambulatory care. The role clinical research has played in the development of clinical pharmacy services, direct patient care, and rational pharmacotherapy will be highlighted in this article.
The objectives of this article are to:
* Discuss the key education and training experiences that helped set the stage for new clinical pharmacy services.
* Describe the pivotal developments in clinical pharmacy that have shaped the current practice environment in the USA.
* Discuss the concept of direct patient care and the education and training requirements to provide clinical pharmacy services to complex patients.
The literature on the history and development of clinical pharmacy is extensive; therefore, this article focuses on a few key developments that have helped shape clinical pharmacy in the USA. Clinical pharmacy started in the USA and it has evolved differently in other countries.
I have been lecturing to our students at the University of Iowa on the history of clinical pharmacy since 2007. In addition to the literature, I have found two books particularly useful sources for this topic. The first is The Practice of Pharmacy: Institutional and Ambulatory Pharmaceutical Services by McLeod and Miller (1981) [1] and the second is Clinical Pharmacy...