Co-location of Pharmacists with Primary Care Providers: An Analysis of NPI vs Other Data Sources

Investigators: Emily M. Hawes, PharmD, BCPS, CPP; Brianna Lombardi, PhD, MSW; Evan Galloway, MPS; Hilary A. Campbell, PharmD, JD; Cristen P. Page, MD, MPH; Mary Roth McClurg, PharmD, MHS

Objective: Despite evidence supporting the integration of pharmacists in team-based primary care, little information exists on the co-location of pharmacists with primary care physicians in the United States and even less information exists on the factors associated with these models in primary care. This study sought to understand the degree to which pharmacists are co-located with primary care practices and characteristics associated with co-location.

Methods: This study used the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System’s (NPPES), National Provider Identifier (NPI) database, a national and publicly available data source that includes all health providers with an NPI, and CMS data to establish geographic co-location of pharmacists and primary care providers. Further, the study compared pharmacist-PCP co-location across a number of covariates. It assessed rurality, setting type, Medicaid expansion states, and expanded scope of work states to determine where co-location was more likely based on these factors.

Findings: The sample included 502,373 Physicians (51% Internal Medicine, 28% Family Medicine, 21% Other PCP sub-specialties) and 221,534 Pharmacists.

• 23% percent of pharmacists in the (n=51,034) were co-located with a PCP.
• Co-location varied by state, and within state by urban/rural geography
  • Pharmacists in states that have expanded Medicaid were more likely to be colocated.
  • Pharmacists in urban areas were more likely to be co-located with PCPs.
  • States with expanded pharmacist scope of practice regulations had higher rates of colocation.
• Co-located pharmacists are most commonly working in larger physician practices

Policy Implications: The co-location of pharmacists and primary care physicians can increase access to integrated interprofessional care models, which are a critical component of high-quality primary care. This study provides a benchmark to understand the current state of this type of co-location. Understanding where co-location is occurring and predictors for pharmacist-PCP co-location can provide information to policymakers, payors, and healthcare organizations to bolster co-location.

• Hawes EM, Page C, Galloway E, McClurg MR, Lombardi B. Pharmacists Colocated With Primary Care Physicians: Understanding Delivery of Interprofessional Primary Care. Medical Care. 2024 Feb 1;62(2):87-92.

• Hawes E, Galloway E, Page P, McClurg M, Lombardi B. Pharmacists Colocated with Primary Care Physicians: Teaming up for Patient Access. Carolina Health Workforce Research Center, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, UNC-CH. January 2023.

• Hawes E, Galloway E, Page P, McClurg M, Lombardi B. Pharmacists Colocated with Primary Care Physicians: Teaming up for Patient Access. Abstract. Carolina Health Workforce Research Center, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, UNC-CH. January 2023.

• Hawes, E. Where are Pharmacists and Primary Care Providers Teaming up for Patient Access. NAPCRG’s 50th Annual Meeting scheduled for November 18-22, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Hawes, E., Lombardi, B., Galloway, E., Campbell, H., Page, C., McClurg, M. Co-location of Pharmacists with Primary Care Providers: An Analysis of NPI Data. 10 minute podium presentation. AAMC Health Workforce Research Conference. May 2022.
• Hawes, E., Lombardi, B.M., Galloway, E., Page, C., McClurg, M., Campbell, H. Practicing Together: Where Are Pharmacists and Primary Care Providers Teaming up for Patient Access. Poster Presentation, Academy Health, Washington D.C. May 2022.