PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Robert M. Elenbaas American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A INTRODUCTION The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) was founded in 1979 when 29 clinical pharmacists—organized largely by Donald C. McLeod, M.S.—gathered in Kansas City, Missouri, with a common goal: to promote the tational use of medications in society by forming an organization dedicated to and focused on advancing the cutting-edge of clinical pharmacy practice and research, ‘Those ideals held by ACCP's founding members still find themselves in the College's mission: ACCP is a professional and sciemtilie soviety that pro- vides leadership, edueation, advocacy, and other resources enabling clinical pharmacists 10 achieve excellence in ‘practice and research ORGANIZATION Only two years after its founding, ACCP created its Research Institute in 198] to advance pharmacotherapy ‘through support and promotion of research, training, and educational programs. Through 2000, this has largely taken the form of a number of Research Awards that support specific research projects conducted by College members in a variety of therapeutic areas, and Fellow- ships that provide for the stipends of posteraduate clinical pharmacists in an intensive research (raining experience, Both types of programs are available t ACCP members ‘on a competitive basis. Also in 1981, Russell R. Miller, Ph.D., founded the journal Pharmacotherapy a8 a publication dedicated to ‘human pharmacology and drug therapy. When fist esta Dlished, Pharmacotherapy was not alfiliated with any ‘medical or pharmacy associations. In 1988, ACCP adopted Pharmacotherapy as its official joumal, and in 1994, ACCP acquited the journal. Now a monthly publication, Pharmacotherapy publishes a complementary array of ori- tzinal clinical research and evidence-based reviews in the broad field of pharmacotherapy and clinical pharmacology, ‘Encyelupeia of Cline Pharmace DOF: 1N.1081-ECP T2n006316 Copsvgit © 2008 by Meal Dekher, Inc, All ights reserve ‘Membership AS of the end of 2001, ACCP had approximately 7000 ‘members, located mostly in the United States and Canada. ACCP members can be found in all practice venues, including ambulatory clinies and community pharmacies, community hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry. phar- macy and medical school faculties, university hospitals, and VA and military hospitals. More than 80% of ACCP ‘members hold the Pharm.D. degree, 70% have completed 4 postgraduate residency, and 25% have completed a research fellowship training program. Approximately 5% of ACCP members are certified in one or more of the specialty practice areas recognized by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS; ic, Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support, Oncology, Pharmacotherapy. Psychi atry). Consistent with one of ACCP's founding tenets —to promote the rational use of medications in society— College members dircetly assume responsibility for the drug therapy of individual patients through collaborative practice agreements with physicians; regularly consult with and advise physicians, other health professionals, and patients regarding drug therapy; serve on key insti- tutional or other committees that oversee the medication use process; and teach pharmacy or other health profes- sion students. In addition, many ACCP members are responsible for conducting basic, clinical, health services, economic, or other applied research. ‘This research, for example, may involve clinical trials of new drug entities, pharmacokinctic and pharmacodynamic studies in normal volunteers and patients, pharmacoeconomic evaluations of drug therapies, and health services research to ex- amine the impact of pharmacy services. ‘The practice and research interests of ACCP members. span the broad array of pharmacotherapy. As one way 10 provide for the unique needs of clinical pharmacists with diverse interests, ACCP currently includes approximately 20 Practice and Research Neworks (PRNs). The PRNs form special interest groups within the College in areas ranging from Ambulatory Care to Infectious Diseases to ‘Women’s Health,“ MAJOR PROGRAMS Education ACCP holds three major seientific and/or educational meetings each year. The ACCP Annual Meeting, beld in Jate-October or early-November, and the Spring Practice and Research Forum, held in April, include a variety of educational symposia as well as poster or platform presentations of original research. Both meetings include educational and networking sessions conducted by the College's PRNs. The ACCP Recruitment Forum takes place at the Annual Meeting and provides an opportunity for employers and prospective applicants to interview. Recruitment On-Line, a year-round job listing service, is available on the College's web site, Each year, ACCP also conducts its “Updates in “Therapeutics,” designed as both a comprehensive review of therapeutics and as a preparatory course for clinical pharmacists planning to sit for BPS specialty certification in Pharmacotherapy, Nutrition Support, Oncology, ot Psychiatry. ACCP is expanding its use of technology t0 facilitate distance leaning. ACCP educational programs Will be increasingly available through the College's web site at www.acep.com. In April 1999, ACCP partnered with the European Society of Clinival Pharmacy (ESCP) 10 co-host the first International Congress on Clinical Pharmacy in Orlando, Florida. With a theme of “Documenting the Value of Clinical Pharmacy Services.” the Congress was attended by more than 1300 pharmacists from $1 countries.” ACCP and ESCP plan to organize a second International ‘Congress in 2004. Publications In addition to Pharmacotherapy, publications produced by ACCP include the Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) and the College’s annual Directory of Residencies and Fellowships, In addition to its use as @ seneral professional development tool, PSAP is approved by BPS for use by Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialists (BCPS) in obtaining their required recertifica- tion, With publication of its fourth edition (PSAP-IV) in 2001, this modular-based program is available in both hardcopy and Internet versions. The ACCP Directory of Residencies and Fellowships provides a comprehensive index and description of postgraduate training opportu- nities offered by ACCP members. It is published in the fall of each year (0 assist students and residents in their ‘career development. Other publications available from ACCP are described on the College's web site American Cotlege of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Professional Leadership and Advocacy ACCP participates in several coalitions with other national organizations, including the Council on Creden- tialing in Pharmacy, the Joint Commission of Phar- macy Practitioners, the Alliance for Pharmaceutical Care, and the Pharmaceutical Sciences Consortium. In general, ACCP's advocacy efforts are focused on the federal government, with the overall goal of better enabling clinical pharmacists 10 provide patient care and per- form research, A bibliography and reprints of ACCP white papers, position statements, and guidelines are available on the College's web site. These include two comprehensive reviews of published literature that document the value of clinical pharmacy services." GOVERNANCE ACCP is governed by an 11-person Board of Regents, elected from and by the College's members. The President of the College serves as chair of the Board of Regents, Members of the 2001 Board of Regents include: + President: Barry L, Carter, Pharm.D., FOCP, BCPS + President-Elect: Bradley A. Boucher, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS + Past President: Thomas C. Hardin, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS + Secretary: J. Herbert Patterson, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS + Treasurer: Marsha A. Raebel, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS + Regents: Betty J. Dong, Pharm.D.; Julie A. Johnson, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS: Mary Lee, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS; Michsel Maddux, Pharm.D., FCCP; Ralph H. Rasch, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS; and David R. Rush, Pharm.D., BCPS REFERENCES 1, Proceedings ofthe First Intemational Congress on Clinical Pharmacy. Pharmacotherapy 2000, 20, 2335-3465. Willet, MS. Berch, KE; Rich, DS. Breshefsky, L. Prospectus onthe economic value of clinical pharmacy See- Vices. Pharmacotherapy 1989, 9, 45-36, 3. Schumock, G.T.; Mesk, P.D:; Ploetz, P.A. Vermeulen, LC. Economic evaluations of clinical pharmacy. ser- Vices—19881995. Pharmacotherapy 1996, 16, 1188~ 1208,