Embedding a Pharmacist on Primary Care Team Helps Bring Joy to the Practice of Medicine: One Physician's Perspective
One of my missions in life is to empower health care providers, especially pharmacists, to create health care teams that better serve patients. I get to be part of a team in a primary care practice doing this and have seen it change our patients' lives. When I am not seeing patients and helping them manage their chronic disease states, I take medication related tasks off of my providers plates. My role challenges, stretches, and grows me every day. It is the most rewarding work I have ever done.
I had a slow patient care day last week, and was able to tackle many of these other tasks. As I was leaving, I mentioned to my provider that my day didn't have too much direct patient care, but that it was spent on these other tasks. Her response needs to be shared with all pharmacists who are looking to create/join these teams.
As we were talking about how much time prior authorizations and other non-direct patient care can take, she kidded and said that by my help with those it was helping her not quit medicine all together (she was joking and then went on to explain...)
"The truth is that physicians are getting burned out, especially for primary care...there are so many things now (PAs being one) that suck up our time and energy and keep us from doing what we want to do, which is to spend face-time with our patients. Having a pharmacist in my office who can help with PA's, trouble shoot getting medications covered or help me brainstorm different meds to try, and who can see my patients for counseling on blood pressure, nutrition, vaccines, etc has alleviated so much of the pressure I feel and has helped me feel that I am truly part of a team; that I am not alone in acting for my patients or carrying the burden of their care. It helps me continue to find joy in the practice of medicine."
Health care provider burnout is real. Let's share the burden by using our unique skills and gifts which result in serving patients better, more joy in medicine, and better outcomes for all.
Functional Medicine I Recovery Support Peer I Holistic Health Coach I Mental Health Advocate
5 年Great article Sue!
President/CEO at Northeast Pharmacy Service Corporation
5 年Pharmacists as a part of a primary care practice is a wonderful addition for all those concerned:? doctors, patients, PA's - everyone!? This article highlights this beautifully. We know from our friend Ken Correia in R.I. just how well this works!
President and Founder of SyneRxgy Consulting, LLC Co-Founder Medipreneurs, Co-Founder at PGx101
5 年Another amazing day today with challenging patients and teamwork! I cannot say enough about the team in healthcare and how it benefits the provider, pharmacists, and patients, and other team members. Today ended with such gratitude among our staff because we were able to help some medically complex and challenging patients using each of our gifts. The MD was grateful because she could spend more time with a non-English speaking new OB patient while I finished up with her patient who was recently hospitalized with serious diabetes complications (ketoacidosis) - explaining and adjusting medications and a deeper dive into lifestyle changes she can make. We were able to get her medications she could afford (she was in hospital because she lost insurance and could not afford her meds). Now it's up to the patients to do their part, but we were able to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.?
Clinical Pharmacist | Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist with experience in managed care and clinical care
5 年Sonal Kwatra
CEO/Senior Physician @ Vine Medical | Human Performance and Longevity Medicine
5 年We love our compounding pharmacists really a part of the care team!