A Pharmacist's Guide to Speaking Up with Confidence

Let's chat about something that's been on my mind lately: the power of assertive communication and how it can transform not just our professional lives, but also the lives of our patients.

As pharmacists, we're often so focused on taking care of others that we forget to speak up for ourselves. We might feel like we're just supposed to go with the flow, even when things aren't quite right. But here's the thing - when we find our voice and start advocating for what we believe in, amazing things can happen.

I know firsthand how tough it can be to assert yourself in a traditional pharmacy setting. You're juggling a million tasks, dealing with stressed-out patients, and trying to keep up with the demands of your supervisors. It's easy to feel like you don't have the time or energy to speak up.

But what if I told you that there's a way to amplify your voice and make a real difference? That's where building a remote pharmacy practice comes in. When you create your own virtual practice, you're not just gaining flexibility and freedom - you're also giving yourself a platform to advocate for the issues that matter most to you.

Imagine being able to focus on the patients who need your expertise the most, without the distractions and limitations of a traditional pharmacy setting. Imagine having the time and space to really listen to your patients' concerns and come up with innovative solutions. Imagine being able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals on your own terms, without the red tape and bureaucracy.

When you build a remote practice, you're not just creating a business - you're creating a vehicle for change. You're giving yourself the opportunity to be a leader in your field, to speak up for what you believe in, and to make a real impact on your patients' lives.

So, my fellow pharmacists, I encourage you to start thinking about how you can use assertive communication to advocate for yourself and your patients. And if you're feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your current role, consider taking the leap into remote pharmacy. It just might be the key to unlocking your full potential as a healthcare leader.

Let's support each other as we find our voices and make a difference in the world of pharmacy. Together, we can create a future where every pharmacist feels empowered to speak up and every patient receives the care and advocacy they deserve.

Dr. Thea Blystone

Learn More About The Pivot Program: https://tmrx.care/pivot

Thea M. Blystone, PharmD practices as a clinical consulting pharmacist, specializing within Primary Care settings. Dr. Blystone’s collaboration ensures physicians meet and often exceed quality metrics resulting in outstanding patient care outcomes.

Her pharmacy background helped facilitate the creation of TM Pharmacy Consulting, LLC in 2019. Leadership skills were nurtured extensively throughout 15 years of practice with 5+ years as a hospital pharmacy supervisor. Specialized experiences in remote MTM pharmacy services and retail pharmacy staffing have helped strengthen and grow her business.

Despite difficult times and challenges faced with the Covid 19 pandemic, she has pivoted her business tactics to optimize telehealth medicine, successfully utilizing an area of opportunity to assist providers improving quality metrics and ultimately increasing revenue. Her efforts have resulted in both provider satisfaction along with positive patient encounters.

In addition to her own successful entrepreneurship, she has mentored fellow pharmacists in advancing their business ideas producing pharmacy consulting business.