Problem Solving and Preventive Measures: Pharmacists’ Concern to Patient Care

What is it about?

Pharmacists use a patient-centered approach in collaboration with other providers on the health care team to optimize patient health and medication outcomes. An essential first step is the establishment of a patient–pharmacist relationship that supports engagement and effective communication with patients, families, and caregivers throughout the process. In addition, at the core of the process, pharmacists continually collaborate, document, and communicate with physicians, other pharmacists, and other health care professionals in the provision of safe, effective, and coordinated care. This process is enhanced through the use of interoperable information technology systems that facilitate efficient and effective communication among all individuals involved in patient care.

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Photo by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

Photo by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process consists of five steps: Collect, Assess, Plan, Implement, and Follow Up: Monitor and Evaluate. Since the process is patientcentered, the patient must be involved in the process. The process must be a collaborative care model where pharmacists work with and communicate with other health care providers so that care is coordinated for the patient. Documentation is also a foundational component of the process. The process will be facilitated if health information technology is utilized. This will enable pharmacists to obtain needed patient information and communicate useful patient information to other team members.