A Review on Specialization in Pharmacy—Part II: A Commentary on Postgraduate Training and Pharmaceutical Care

Abstract

Many opportunities exist for pharmacists who desire to expand their role in providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care services to patients and other health care providers, who they serve and collaborate with on a daily basis. Consequently, there is a strong trend within pharmacy to specialize in areas of professional interest. In many respects, pharmacy has turned toward the medical model in addressing its needs and providing a framework for specialization in practice. With respect to generalist and specialized practitioners and varying initiatives relative to the medical model, the concept of specialization in pharmacy has recently developed some interesting tangents when issues of certification, credentialing, disease-state management, and added qualifications enter the discussion. The previous installment in this 2-part article focused on specialization in pharmacy and offered a review of the current initiatives by which a pharmacist can achieve specialty status. In this concluding installment, discussion is offered that addresses pharmaceutical care and postgraduate training in pharmacy relative to future professional and societal expectations for pharmacy.