Pharmacists Interacting with Physicians
Effective communication between pharmacists and physicians is crucial for ensuring optimal patient care.
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Pharmacists Interacting with Physicians Pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare team by identifying and resolving drug-related problems. However, calls to physicians about medication issues can sometimes be adversarial, especially if the pharmacist is not well-prepared or lacks a collaborative approach. This article explores strategies for building rapport with physicians and fostering effective communication to ensure successful collaboration in providing the best possible care to patients. |
Importance of Collaboration
A collaborative relationship between pharmacists and physicians is essential for achieving the following:
- Improved patient outcomes: By working together, pharmacists and physicians can identify and address medication-related problems more effectively, leading to better patient outcomes.
- Reduced medication errors: Pharmacists' expertise in medication safety can help to prevent errors in prescribing, dispensing, and administration of medications.
- Enhanced medication adherence: Pharmacists can provide patients with education and support to help them take their medications as prescribed, which can improve adherence and treatment outcomes.
- Reduced healthcare costs: Effective medication management can help to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and other healthcare costs.
Building Rapport with Physicians
Pharmacists can take proactive steps to build rapport with physicians in their community. Here are some suggestions:
- Introduce yourself and your services: Meet with local physicians to introduce yourself and explain the services offered by your pharmacy. Highlight how these services can benefit physicians and their patients.
- Stay up-to-date on new developments: Keep yourself informed about the latest drug therapies and clinical guidelines. This knowledge can be valuable to physicians when making prescribing decisions.
- Provide unbiased information: Offer physicians unbiased information about new medications, including their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and potential side effects.
- Be respectful and professional: Always maintain a respectful and professional demeanor in your interactions with physicians.
Communication Considerations Before Contacting a Physician
- Gather necessary facts: Assemble all relevant patient information, including medical history, current medications, allergies, and the specific drug-related problem.
- Review relevant literature: Support your recommendations with evidence-based information from reputable sources.
- Develop a clear and concise message: Clearly articulate the problem, your recommendation, and the rationale behind it.
- Prepare for different scenarios: Be prepared to address potential resistance from the physician and have alternative recommendations ready if necessary.
Effective Communication Strategies
When contacting a physician, it is important to use effective communication techniques. Here are some key points to remember:
- Focus on the patient: Keep the focus of the conversation on solving the patient's problem, not assigning blame.
- Use assertive communication: Confidently present your concerns and recommendations while remaining respectful of the physician's expertise.
- Be an active listener: Listen attentively to the physician's perspective and concerns.
- Document the conversation: Keep a record of your communication with the physician, including the date, time, details of the conversation, and any decisions made.
By following these tips, pharmacists can foster a more collaborative and productive relationship with physicians, ultimately leading to better patient care.
Sample Dialogues
Dialogue I
Discussion
This pharmacist was not prepared. He simply didn't do his homework before he called. In addition, he defined the problem as the drug prescribed by the physician. The problem is that the patient was not getting better (as defined by the mother). The pharmacist did not have clear information to support the contention that there was a problem. As a result, the physician decided to talk to the patient directly rather than waste any more time talking to an ill-prepared pharmacist. This conversation reflects poorly on the individual pharmacist and the profession. Let's look at how this might have been approached.
Dialogue 2
Pharmacist: Hi, Dr.
Smith. This is Sara Thomas, a pharmacist at Conners Drugs. I just got off the
phone with Susan Tanner, Brady's mother. She called because she was concerned
about Brady. His fever is still at 101.5 and he has been taking the amoxicillin
for 6 days now, three times a day as you prescribed. She said he's pretty
miserable. I assumed that Brady has otitis because she talked about his ear
infection and I saw from his medication record that he was treated for otitis
once before, about 3 months ago. I think it might be time to go to
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole twice a day or cefaclor every 8 to 12 hours.
Physician: So, he's still running a fever. From what you have said it sounds like he's not responding to the amoxicillin. OK, give him the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole twice a day. Do you have his weight?
Pharmacist: Sure do.
Physician: Good.
Let's keep him on it for 10 days.
Pharmacist: OK. I'll
let Mrs. Tanner know.
Physician: Thanks for
calling.
Pharmacist: You're
welcome. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Discussion
This pharmacist was well prepared and kept her focus on the problem. She gave the physician more than one option and, as a result of her thoroughness, the physician was able to make a decision quickly. Although all situations may not go as smoothly, they are far more likely to go this way with preparation and appropriate focus.
The text provides two sample dialogues that illustrate how a well-prepared pharmacist can effectively communicate with a physician about a medication-related problem. These examples highlight the importance of focusing on the patient's needs and presenting recommendations in a professional and collaborative manner.
When a Physician Refuses to Change an Order
In some cases, a physician may resist changing a medication order. If this occurs, it is important to remain professional and respectful. Here are some steps you can take:
- Explain your concerns: Clearly explain why you believe the current medication is inappropriate and the potential risks to the patient.
- Offer alternative solutions: Present alternative medications or treatment options that you believe would be more suitable for the patient.
- Document the conversation: Document your communication with the physician, including your concerns and recommendations.
- Involve the patient: If necessary, involve the patient in the discussion and explain the situation to them.
It is important to avoid making the physician look bad in front of the patient. The focus should always be on ensuring the patient receives safe and effective medication therapy.
Conclusion
By building rapport, communicating effectively, and working collaboratively, pharmacists and physicians can create a strong partnership that benefits patients and improves the overall quality of healthcare.
Remember, the goal is to work together to provide the best possible care for our patients.