Pharmacy Communication and Care Process

Pharmacy Communication and Patient Counselling

Aim:
- Introduce students to the communication skills needed within the healthcare setting in order to:
- Communicate effectively with patients.
- Interact with members of the healthcare team.
- Engage with family/caregivers.
Outcomes:
- Explain the pharmacy care process.
- Outline the relevant information that needs to be obtained from patients.
- Demonstrate how to conduct an interview with patients and caregivers, including those with limited health literacy.
- Formulate strategies for communicating effectively with members of the healthcare team.

End of Year Assessment Methods:
- Written papers
- Oral exam
- Continuous assessment
- Assignment
- Attendance

Objective:
- Gather subjective and objective data from multiple sources.
Data to Gather:
- Medical/Medication History:
- Current clinical status.
- Sources include: patients, caregivers, patient notes/records, healthcare professionals.
- Current Medication List:
  - Includes prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal/traditional, and dietary supplements.
- Relevant Health Data:
  - Medical history, health information, physical assessment.
- Patient Factors:
  - Lifestyle habits, preferences, beliefs, health and functional goals, and socioeconomic factors.

Objective:
- Assess the information gathered and analyze clinical effects of therapy in relation to the patient’s situation.
Activities Include:
- Prioritizing problems to achieve optimal care.
- Assessing each medicine for appropriateness, effectiveness, safety, and patient adherence.
- Evaluating health and functional status:
- Risk factors
- Cultural factors
- Health literacy
- Access to medications
- Assessing the need for preventative care and other health services (e.g., immunization).

Objective:
- Develop an individualized patient-centered care plan in collaboration with the patient and other healthcare professionals.
Plan Features:
- Evidence-based and cost-effective.
- Addresses medication-related problems and optimizes therapy.
- Sets goals for therapy to achieve clinical outcomes contextual to the patient’s situation.
- Engages the patient through education, empowerment, and self-management.
- Supports continuity of care, including follow-up or referral as needed.

Objective:
- Implement the care plan collaboratively with the patient, healthcare professionals, and caregivers.
Implementation Actions Include:
- Addressing medication and health-related problems as they arise, including preventative strategies.
- Initiating, modifying, or discontinuing therapy as authorized.
- Providing education and self-management training to the patient/caregiver.
- Contributing to care coordination, including referral to other healthcare providers/services.
- Scheduling follow-up care as needed.

Objective:
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the care plan in collaboration with patients and other healthcare professionals.
Evaluation Steps Include:
- Modifying the care plan if needed.
- Checking medication appropriateness, effectiveness, safety, and patient adherence based on health data and patient feedback.
- Monitoring clinical endpoints contributing to the patient’s health.
- Evaluating outcomes of care, including the achievement of therapy goals.

Scenario Application:
- In this exercise, students should think about the 'Collect' step in the pharmacy care model.
- Scenario Details:
- Mrs. Mary Kamara, 45 years old, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- Recently started on metformin for two weeks.
- She comes to the pharmacy to purchase more tablets.
Task:
- Conduct background research into type 2 diabetes.
- Write a list of information to collect regarding Mrs. Kamara's case, which will be discussed in the next session.