Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Rising prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has increased demand for developmental paediatric services. Ongoing medication review requirements place increasing pressure on paediatrician‐led models. Pharmacist‐led shared care may improve capacity and access; however, evidence in paediatric outpatient settings remains limited.
Aim
To evaluate the impact of a paediatric‐pharmacy shared‐care model on wait times, service capacity and efficiency compared with medical‐only care.
Methods
We conducted a two‐phase observational study. Phase 1 retrospectively analysed service activity from 2019 to 2024, including patient numbers, occasions of service, wait times, failure‐to‐attend rates, and financial outcomes. Phase 2 prospectively audited 100 pharmacist‐led consultations to characterise clinical activities.
Results
Patient numbers increased by 87%, and the proportion receiving pharmacist‐led shared care rose from 4.1% to 25.3%. Pharmacy clinics had shorter wait times than medical clinics (1.84 vs. 7.64 months;
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Conclusion
The paediatric‐pharmacy shared‐care model was associated with shorter wait times, greater cost‐efficiency, and redistribution of routine medication reviews to pharmacists, with increased overall review frequency despite fewer medical appointments per patient. Pharmacist reviews were comprehensive and delivered within a supervised framework. These findings support pharmacist‐led shared care as a scalable strategy to improve access and workforce capacity in developmental paediatrics.