The main thing that I want to stress upon to everyone is that we all have the same goal. I think it is easy for a patient to feel like no one is listening and that all the doctors/pharmacists want to do is add medications. I promise the last thing we as healthcare providers want to do is make you feel worse. We want you feeling better not worse! Our ultimate goal is to help improve patients lives. We strive to improve the quality of patients lives and their overall wellbeing. On the opposite side of things is healthcare providers. It is easy for us to feel like the patient isn't listening to us and they don't want to utilize our knowledge but would instead rather use the internet or other sources to try to come up with their own treatment plan. It is important to understand that some of these thoughts and feelings have a reason or a background. Has someone violated our trust in the past? I promise this is where Pharmacist will be the biggest asset to both sides. Pharmacists know our patients and yet we also know medicine and speak the same "medical language" as your provider does. Let Pharmacists help you to bridge this gap!
Pharmacists know medications and they stay up to date on current guidelines. Governing Associations for each diseases state, such as American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association, publish regular updated guidelines which are intended to help Practitioners practice safe and effective medicine. Guidelines change according to evidence and studies. Pharmacists are key members of the health team that help to stay up on these current guidelines.
When most people think of Pharmacists they think of adding medications. However, did you know that Pharmacists are great about stopping and discontinuing medications as well? We call this deprescribing. One of the most often overlooked and underutilized role of a Pharmacist is to identify unneeded or unsafe medications. I like to think of Pharmacists as medication regimen optimizers.
Pharmacists can be a vital asset to Providers and Providers to help optimize a patients medications. Optimizing medication regimens may involve gradually reducing dosages, stopping medications altogether, or switching to alternative medications that may have fewer side effects or interactions.
It is always important to remember that while medications can positively affect patients' lives, it is vital to continually evaluate and balance the risk versus benefit. As we all know, medications can be effective for managing conditions and improving quality of life, however they can also come with risks and side effects. That's why de-prescribing, or reducing the use of medications, has become an increasingly important aspect of my practice as a pharmacist.
De-prescribing involves carefully evaluating a patient's medication regimen and determining which medications are necessary and which can be discontinued. This process can be particularly beneficial for patients who are taking multiple medications or those who may be at risk of adverse reactions or interactions.
As a pharmacist, my role in de-prescribing is to work closely with patients and their healthcare providers to evaluate their medication regimen and develop a plan for reducing the use of medications as appropriate. Some medications can be discontinued immediately others may require a slow decrease before completely stopping.
One of the most significant benefits of de-prescribing is the potential to improve patients' overall health and quality of life. By reducing the use of medications, patients may experience fewer side effects, improved cognitive function, and reduced risk of adverse reactions or interactions. Additionally, de-prescribing can help patients reduce their healthcare costs by eliminating medications that are no longer necessary. Reducing the overall pill burden and amount of daily medications can also help patients feel a new renowned energy and motivation for helping them take ownership of their health.
De-prescribing may sound easy however it can be a challenging process, particularly for patients or family who may be resistant to reducing their medication use. As a pharmacist, I work closely with patients to ensure that they understand the rationale behind de-prescribing and the potential benefits that it can bring. This is particularly the case with medications used for sleep, anxiety and/or pain. It is often hard to help patients see the benefit of reducing or stopping these medications when for them these medications are a lifeline and fulfilling such a vital need. I often work with patients on Opioid and Benzo tapers and find it rewarding to help patients find this balance of safety and efficacy. It is also essential to ensure that patients have access to alternative therapies or medications that may be necessary for managing their conditions effectively.
As a Clinical Pharmacist working within a Family Practice Clinic, I am often sent patients who have complicated or lengthy medication regimens. The first thing that I do is determine if there is a medical need for a medication on the list and has the medication been successful in it's desired function. If the medication has not been effective, is there a reason why? Is the dose at an effective strength? Is the schedule to take the medication too difficult to stay consistent? Is the medication too expensive? Utilize your Pharmacist to help you problem solve. This is an active function and piece of my day. I do this continually through out my day.
In my opinion, one of the key signs to a good provider is utilizing the recourses around them to help not only patients reach their goal but to make their overall patient experiences the best it can be and ultimately help give patients a better quality of life. If a Provider has referred you on to a Specialist such as Rheumatology or Social Work it is because they feel these specialists can help to fulfill a specific need better than they can. I cannot stress to you enough that this is a huge indicator of a good Provider and Doctor. This is not an indicator that the doctor doesn't want to listen or cannot help you in this area, it is more that they feel you would benefit from a more in-depth and specialist perspective. As a Clinical Pharmacist, Providers reach out to me on a daily and regular basis for another perspective or thought on a medication regimen. This is a sign of a good provider! They want to utilize their team and resources to give the patient the best utmost care.
Optimizing medication regimens and utilizing de-prescribing is an important aspect of my practice as a pharmacist. By carefully evaluating a patient's medication regimen and developing a plan for reducing the use of medications as appropriate, we can improve patients' overall health and quality of life while reducing the risk of adverse reactions and interactions.
I love working with patients and families find the right balance of safety and efficacy while continually having the goal to overall improve health. I am committed to working with patients and their healthcare providers to ensure that they receive the most appropriate care and that their health and well-being are protected.
**Please take note, my views are my own and are not associated or representative of my employer(s). This website and its associated platforms are for education purposes only and not medical advice. (If one wants to establish a relationship in which individual circumstances can be evaluated please send a message)
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