Table 2 Comparative summary of seven key parameters to advance clinical pharmacy practice between the United States and Israel
Parameter | USA | Israel |
|---|---|---|
Advanced Degree | PharmD the only degree since 2005 | Small minority (1.25%) with PharmD; a similar number have an MSc degree |
Postgraduate Residency | 5000 residents trained each year in 2500 residency programs | No residency programs, but PharmD and MSc degrees do include some clinical components similar to a residency |
Credentialing | One in eight pharmacists credentialed by BPS | No credentialing organization; no credentialed pharmacists. All pharmacists with PharmD or MSc are considered qualified to be clinical pharmacists. |
Supply of Clinical Pharmacists | Over 40,000 clinical pharmacists (one per 7500 inhabitants) | Approximately 150 active clinical pharmacists (one per 60,900 inhabitants) |
Legal Permission to Practice and Bill for Direct Patient Care | Varies by state, but improving. Some systems, notably VA, allow advanced practice in all locations | None (although clinical pharmacists are paid by healthcare organizations for quality improvement activities) |
Employer Demand | Many employers post positions for clinical pharmacists, although others do not | Employers (HMOs and hospitals) open a small number of positions each year |
Acceptance as Part of Healthcare Team | Increasing acceptance, especially with more recently trained healthcare professionals | Growing acceptance by most healthcare professionals, especially those who worked with clinical pharmacists in the past |