According to the World Health Organization, the total cost associated with medication errors in the global healthcare system is a whopping $42 billion. In addition to the economic burden, the National Institutes of Health estimates that medication-related errors account for 22% of readmissions after discharge.
This shows that medication errors are a leading cause of preventable harm in healthcare, and the role of pharmacists in mitigating this through effective patient medication counseling cannot be overemphasized.
Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals and are usually the last professionals seen by a patient before treatment commences. This strategic positioning enables them to be an integral part of mitigating/reducing the impact of medical errors in the healthcare system.
Through patient medication counseling, pharmacists can increase medication adherence and inadvertently reduce medication-related errors. Imagine a world where every patient leaves the pharmacy not just with their prescription but with a clear understanding of how to use it safely and effectively.
The difference will be profound.
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of patient medication counseling, its vital components, and tips for pharmacists.
What Is Patient Medication Counseling?
Patient medication counseling is part of pharmaceutical care, where a pharmacist provides the patient with accurate information on their medication to ensure proper understanding and usage.
This usually involves a one-on-one conversation between the pharmacist and the patient, where the pharmacist:
Explains the medication, its purpose, dosage, and how to take it
Identifies potential side effects and how to manage them
Answers the patient’s questions
Assesses the patient’s understanding of the medication and how to take it
Provides relevant additional information as needed
Most pharmacists have their preferred method of medication counseling; however, regardless of which method is used, it is important to assess the patient’s understanding at the end of counseling.
Benefits of Patient Medication Counseling
Here are some significant benefits of patient medication counseling:
Improved Medication Adherence.
Improved medication adherence is one of the primary benefits of patient medication counseling.
When patients understand why they are taking a medication, how it works, and the potential side effects, they are more likely to take it as prescribed. Adherence to medication plans is crucial for effective treatment and can significantly impact patient outcomes.
Reduced Medication Errors.
Medication errors can have serious consequences, including hospitalization, readmissions, and even death.
Pharmacists are trained to identify potential drug interactions, allergies, and contraindications. Through proper patient medication counseling, they can educate patients about these risks, clarify dosage instructions, and help them avoid these errors.
Enhanced Patient Outcomes.
Pharmacists can help patients achieve better health outcomes by addressing patient concerns, conducting medication reviews, and providing clear instructions during counseling.
Effective medication counseling can improve symptom control, reduce disease progression, and raise quality of life.
Reduced Healthcare Costs.
Medication errors cost the healthcare industry $42 billion annually. Most of these errors can be reduced through patient medication counseling, and patients don’t have to spend avoidable healthcare costs due to hospitalization, emergency room visits, and other complications.
Medication counseling can save healthcare costs in the long run by improving health outcomes.
Increased Patient Satisfaction.
Patients who receive clear and concise information about their medications are more likely to be satisfied with their healthcare experience.
Effective medication counseling can build trust between the pharmacist and the patient, increasing patient satisfaction and loyalty.
Vital Components of Patient Medication Counseling
Different pharmacists have their preferred methods of medication counseling. There is no right or wrong way to approach counseling; however, the D-R-U-G acronym, endorsed by Steve Leuck in 2015, is worth considering.
Here is a breakdown of the acronym:
Dosage:
This includes information on administering the drug, including the proper way to take it (e.g., orally, topically, or by injection).
It also covers discussions on specific instructions regarding when the medication should be taken (e.g., with or without food, at bedtime) and what to do if a dose is missed (e.g., skip the missed dose or take it as soon as possible).
Result:
This covers a brief explanation of the drug’s mechanism of action, potential side effects and how to manage them, how long it takes for the medication to start working, specific indicators that show if the medication is effective, and when to seek medical attention.
It is also important that the patient understands the consequences of not following the medication regimen as recommended.
Underlying Issue:
This covers a variety of information, including:
A boxed warning on the medication
Patient’s allergies (if any)
Other medications taken by the patient that may interact with the current one
Does the medication react to alcohol, certain foods, or temperature?
Does it affect other medical conditions the patient has?
Specific precautions for certain groups (young, elderly, pregnant or lactating moms)
Any other precautions specific to the medication
General Information:
This covers assessing the patient’s understanding of everything that has been discussed. It also covers discussions on medication storage, refills, disposal of unused medications, and the right person to call in case of inquiries.
Patient Medication Counseling Tips for Pharmacists
Here are some tips to carry out effective patient medication counseling:
Establish Trust.
The foundation of effective patient medication counseling is trust. Patients are more likely to be open and honest with a pharmacist they trust. When initiating a patient medication counseling session, it’s important to introduce yourself briefly and in a friendly way. This makes the patient comfortable enough to ask you questions.
You should also try to understand the patient’s view on medication therapy. This will help you decide on the proper approach to counseling because cultural beliefs and medical history can affect the patient’s approach to medications.
For example, how you counsel someone whose cultural or religious beliefs impact their approach to medications will differ from how you counsel someone who might be more open-minded.
To build trust, it’s also important to:
Listen actively: Give patients your full attention and avoid interrupting. This shows that you value their input.
Use plain language: Avoid medical jargon and explain things in simple terms.
Be empathetic: Show that you understand their concerns and feelings.
Access the Patient’s Knowledge of the Medication.
Before providing information, assessing the patient’s current understanding is crucial. You can do this by asking open-ended questions like:
“What do you know about this medication?”
“How do you think this medication will help you?”
“Have you had any side effects with this drug?”
Open-ended questions are best because they help you gather more information that can lead to further questions. By understanding your patients’ baseline knowledge, you can tailor your counseling to their needs.
However, when questioning your patients, it’s best to explain the purpose of the questions to avoid them putting up a guard or getting offended.
Avoid Implicit Bias.
Implicit bias is an unconscious perception of a specific social group that often affects your treatment of them. In medical practice, implicit bias can be dangerous because it affects the treatment decisions of patients.
During patient medication counseling, you must avoid implicit bias. To provide unbiased care, it’s important to:
Recognize your personal biases and how they may impact your interactions with patients.
Pay attention to the patient’s perspective without making assumptions.
Encourage patients to share their experiences and concerns.
Ask patients for feedback on their counseling experience.
Provide Privacy & Confidentiality.
Patients may hesitate to share personal information if they don’t feel safe and secure. To ensure privacy and confidentiality, you can set up certain measures, like:
Reassuring the patient that their privacy is secured before commencing counseling.
Moving to a private area away from the dispensing area.
Avoiding using a raised voice so others don’t overhear the conversation.
Offering patients an enclosed office if needed.
Avoiding making examples of other patients, but if required, make sure to keep their identities.
Give Individualized Counseling.
Every patient is unique in terms of condition, needs, and mindset. Therefore, you cannot provide generalized counseling to them.
For example, you might need to provide visual aids for some patients, have an interpreter in cases of language barriers, provide written information for elderly patients, etc.
Having an individualized counseling approach for your patient not only increases the effectiveness of your counseling but also increases patient satisfaction after a session and encourages them to get more counseling when they come for medication refills.
When Medication Counseling Should Be Initiated
Here are some crucial times when you can initiate patient medication counseling:
Point of sale for over-the-counter medicines
Medicines use reviews
Patient request for further information
Medication history taking
During a hospital stay
Point of discharge
Outpatient clinics
Transitions of care
Conclusion
Effective patient medication counseling is not just a task; it’s an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives by improving patient outcomes and increasing their quality of life and satisfaction with the healthcare system.
With the right approach to medication counseling, like establishing trust with patients, avoiding implicit bias, providing privacy, and offering individualized counseling, we can improve patient medication adherence and the overall effectiveness of patient medication counseling.
Let’s work together to empower patients and ensure the safe and effective use of medications.
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