Pharmaceutical care

  • Define pharmaceutical care in your own words.
    ➤ Pharmaceutical care is the pharmacist’s contribution to the care of individuals to optimize medicine use and improve health outcomes.

  • List the four main stages of the UoA Patient Care Framework.
    ➤ Information gathering
    ➤ Assessment and decision making
    ➤ Communication of decisions with patient and/or healthcare team
    ➤ Follow-up: Monitor and evaluate

  • Why is effective communication with the healthcare team important in pharmaceutical care?
    ➤ It reduces medical errors, improves patient safety, reduces stress for staff, supports efficient resource use, and increases patient satisfaction.

  • Name two benefits of safe teamwork in a healthcare setting.
    ➤ Better health outcomes and reduced risk of adverse events.

  • What does the ISBAR acronym stand for?
    ➤ Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation

  • In SOAP notes, what kind of information is included in the "Subjective" and "Objective" sections?
    ➤ Subjective: Patient-reported symptoms or opinions
    ➤ Objective: Measurable or observable data like lab results or vital signs

  • Give one example of a medicine-related problem caused by a patient factor.
    ➤ Patient speaks very little English and has difficulty understanding medicine instructions; an interpreter may be needed.

  • What is the purpose of follow-up in the pharmaceutical care process?
    ➤ To evaluate the effectiveness of therapy, detect adverse effects, ensure goals are met, and adjust the care plan as needed.

  • Describe one way pharmacists can ensure cultural competence in care planning.
    ➤ By understanding and respecting patients' cultural beliefs and values, and using resources like interpreters when necessary.

  • Give an example of a medicine-related problem caused by a drug interaction.
    ➤ A patient taking warfarin starts rifampicin, which reduces warfarin’s effect, increasing stroke risk.

  • What are two types of adherence-related problems? Provide an example of one.
    ➤ Non-adherence: Patient avoids steroid due to side effects and ends up hospitalized for asthma.
    ➤ Over-adherence: Patient takes two brands of same medicine unknowingly and experiences low blood pressure.

  • According to the Topol Review, what is one technological trend impacting pharmacy practice?
    ➤ Use of electronic prescribing and shared digital health records.

  • How does shared decision-making contribute to patient-centred care?
    ➤ It involves the patient in choosing their treatment, aligning care with their values and preferences.

  • What does it mean when a medicine therapy problem is classified as “unnecessary medicine therapy”?
    ➤ The patient is taking a medicine they no longer need, such as continuing omeprazole after stopping ibuprofen.

  • Describe one method to monitor medicine effectiveness and safety.
    ➤ Using lab results or clinical signs (e.g., infection resolution, kidney function) to evaluate if the medicine is working and safe.