Patient Care Seminar Week 1 (5 Qs)
This course emphasizes the application of knowledge and skills from the first year, primarily in patient care contexts.
A comprehensive range of topics will be covered to enhance understanding and practical application, including:
Case-based questions
Synthesis of primary literature
Therapeutics applications
The course structure consists of repetition and overlap to reinforce learning and prepare students for real-world scenarios.
General Assessment - builds on assessment skills developed over the year, integrating therapeutic knowledge and patient assessment.
The course is designed to culminate in skill-building experiences that prepare students for their roles as functioning pharmacists.
Key Dates:
Significant activity on the 14th worth 30% of the course grade.
Online quizzes and assessments begin immediately, with the first quiz due soon.
Attendance in class and participation will be monitored and graded, especially during sessions held remotely via Zoom.
Importance of effective communication in patient-centered care.
Medication-Related Problems (MRPs):
Definition and types of medication-related issues that pharmacists must identify.
MRPs identified by categories such as ineffective therapy, unnecessary therapy, and adherence issues.
Clinical Reasoning Process:
Steps include gathering information, assessing information, and formulating recommendations.
The cyclical nature of the process requires continuous evaluation and modification based on patient interactions.
Communication Skills in Patient Care
Communication is crucial for effective assessment and management of patient care.
Key Concepts: The Patient Interview
Effective questioning and engagement strategies.
Tailoring communication styles to fit the patient's understanding and needs.
Communication develops proficiency in both verbal and non-verbal skills, requiring practice and adaptation.
Tools & Models Used:
Communication models like SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) help structure provider communications for clarity and efficacy.
Assessing Special Populations
Today’s session will emphasize various select populations and their unique considerations:
Geriatric Patients:
Understanding aging and its implications on therapy and assessments.
Key Considerations:
Risk of falls, complications from polypharmacy, and chronic illness management.
Use of Beers Criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medications in older adults.
Strategies for assessing older adults, including cognitive function and mobility.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patients:
Ensure accessibility in communication through interpreters and appropriate materials.
Legal requirements for every setting to provide effective communication methods.
Transgender Patients:
Understanding health disparities and fostering a welcoming environment.
Importance of using inclusive language, terminology, and understanding their unique health needs.
Mental health concerns and higher rates of suicide among transgender individuals necessitate compassionate care.
Pediatric Patients:
Assessment techniques vary with age; communication approaches differ significantly in children.
Addressing pediatric patient needs through appropriate language and dosage management.
DETAILED
Communication Skills in Patient Care
Communication is crucial for effective assessment and management of patient care, serving as the foundation for building trust and ensuring shared understanding between pharmacist and patient.
Key Concepts: The Patient Interview
Effective questioning and engagement strategies: This involves using a mix of open-ended questions (e.g., "Tell me about…") to encourage patients to share more information, and closed-ended questions for specific details. Active listening, which includes verbal and non-verbal cues to show engagement, and reflecting on patient statements are vital for a comprehensive understanding.
Tailoring communication styles: Adapting language, pace, and complexity of information to fit the patient's health literacy, cultural background, age, and emotional state is essential. This includes avoiding medical jargon and using plain language, and being sensitive to cultural norms regarding health and communication.
Communication develops proficiency in both verbal and non-verbal skills, requiring continuous practice and adaptation.
Verbal skills encompass clarity of speech, tone of voice, empathy, and the ability to explain complex medical information concisely.
Non-verbal skills include maintaining appropriate eye contact, positive body language, facial expressions, and personal space, all of which convey professionalism and build rapport.
Tools & Models Used:
Communication models like SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) help structure provider communications for clarity and efficacy, particularly in handover situations or when consulting with other healthcare professionals. SBAR ensures that critical information is conveyed systematically and concisely, reducing miscommunication.
Assessing Special Populations
Today’s session will emphasize various select populations and their unique considerations, requiring tailored assessment approaches to optimize patient care and outcomes:
Geriatric Patients:
Understanding aging and its implications on therapy and assessments: Physiological changes associated with aging (e.g., decreased renal and hepatic function, altered body composition) impact pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, leading to increased sensitivity to medications and a higher risk of adverse drug reactions.
Key Considerations:
Risk of falls: Older adults are at a higher risk of falls due to factors like polypharmacy (medications causing dizziness or sedation), gait instability, and vision impairment. Pharmacists evaluate medication regimens for drugs that increase fall risk.
Complications from polypharmacy: The concurrent use of multiple medications often leads to drug-drug interactions, increased side effects, and prescribing cascades. Comprehensive medication reviews are essential to identify and mitigate these risks.
Chronic illness management: Many geriatric patients manage multiple chronic conditions, which complicates treatment plans and requires careful coordination and patient education.
Use of Beers Criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medications in older adults: The Beers Criteria is a list of medications that should be avoided or used with caution in older adults due to high risk of adverse effects or lack of efficacy, guiding safer prescribing practices.
Strategies for assessing older adults, including cognitive function and mobility: Assessments should encompass not only medication review but also functional status (Activities of Daily Living - ADLs, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living - IADLs), nutritional status, social support, and screening for cognitive impairment and depression. Addressing vision and hearing impairments is also crucial for effective communication.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patients:
Ensure accessibility in communication through professional sign language interpreters (e.g., ASL), CART services (Communication Access Realtime Translation), and appropriate written or visual materials. Relying on family members for interpretation should be avoided due to potential for misinterpretation or privacy concerns.
Legal requirements for every setting to provide effective communication methods: Healthcare providers are legally obligated, under acts like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to provide effective communication for individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to healthcare information and services.
Transgender Patients:
Understanding health disparities and fostering a welcoming environment: Transgender individuals often face significant health disparities, including discrimination, stigma, and lack of access to culturally competent healthcare providers, which can lead to delayed care and poor health outcomes. Creating a safe and inclusive environment involves visible signs of support, non-discrimination policies, and trained staff.
Importance of using inclusive language, terminology, and understanding their unique health needs: Always use a patient's affirmed name and pronouns. Pharmacists should be knowledgeable about gender-affirming hormone therapies (GAHT), surgical considerations, and unique screening guidelines (e.g., maintaining cancer screenings for organs present, regardless of gender identity). Addressing mental health concerns, including higher rates of depression and suicide, with compassionate care and appropriate referrals is critical.
Pediatric Patients:
Assessment techniques vary significantly with age; communication approaches differ in children: For infants and toddlers, observation of behavior and reliance on parental reports are key. School-age children can participate more in discussions using simpler language, while adolescents may prefer more direct and private conversations, respecting their growing autonomy.
Addressing pediatric patient needs through appropriate language and dosage management: Medication dosing in children is often weight-based or surface area-based, requiring precise calculations to avoid under- or overdosing. Pharmacists must educate parents/guardians on proper administration techniques, adherence strategies, and potential side effects using age-appropriate language and visual aids. Involvement of the child in discussions, when appropriate, can improve understanding and adherence.
Case Scenarios and Real-World Practice
Emphasis on practical application through simulations and scenarios that mimic real-life patient interactions.
Importance of considering nuances in patient cases to foster effective clinical practice and decision-making under pressure.
Practice Questions and Discussions:
Use of hypothetical case scenarios to integrate knowledge and enhance competency in real-time assessments.