2.1.6 Interface between personal and professional lives

Question 1

The nature of pharmacy means that it is likely you will…

Answer 1

The nature of pharmacy means that it is likely you will, at some stage, be asked to provide pharmacy services or advice for family or close friends. This is not necessarily a bad thing; many people prefer to ask for (or accept) advice from someone they already know and trust (and who knows them). However, there are likely to be times when your instincts and duties as a healthcare professional conflict with your instincts and duties as a friend or family member.

Question 2

Does your duty of confidentiality only apply at work?

Answer 2

No, it also applies to people who may not be ‘officially’ your patients.

Question 3

What does providing pharmacy services* or advice to family/ friends relies upon

Answer 3

Providing pharmacy services* or advice to family/ friends relies upon you being able to apply your professional judgement and remain objective within the situation. This is notoriously difficult, especially if the situation is complex. It is therefore important to stop and think about whether it is appropriate for you to be involved and, if so, what you should do.

*Pharmacy services includes the dispensing of prescriptions, providing advanced and locally commissioned/enhanced professional pharmacy services and providing advice.

Question 4

Before providing pharmacy services to family/ friends, consider the following:

Answer 4

• Is the situation an emergency where not advising or dispensing a prescription could put the person at risk of serious harm?
• Could the person be easily signposted to an alternative appropriate healthcare provider?
• Would it be more appropriate to do so?
• Are you able to maintain objectivity and exercise professional judgement?
• Is maintaining confidentiality an issue? Does the person who is asking the question have a right to know the answer?
• Are you fully aware of all of the care currently being provided?
• Do you have all of the necessary information to professionally and confidentially provide the pharmacy service/information - can you advise accurately and appropriately with the information that you have?
• Is what you are being asked for within the bounds of your professional competence?
• Can you demonstrate transparency? Personal and professional boundaries should be maintained to prevent any conflict of interest arising
• Do you have access to summary care records (or equivalent, as appropriate)?
• Are you able to make appropriate records (where required)?
• Will providing the service/advice affect the person’s relationship with their usual healthcare provider(s), and if so, how?
• Do you need to inform anyone else of what you have done/advised?
• What is in the best interests of the patient, all factors considered?
• If you are providing pharmacy services (such as advice) outside the work environment, you are still expected to provide it to the same standard as you would at work, and your liability if anything should go wrong is likely to be the same
• Ensure that you know what your employer’s policies are regarding providing services to friends and family.
• See also section 3.3.17: Dispensing self-prescribed prescriptions and prescriptions for close friends and family.

Question 5

Pharmacists and aspiring pharmacists who use social media† and social networking should do so responsibly and with the same high standards they would apply in face-to-face interactions.

It is important to maintain proper professional boundaries in relationships and interactions with patients and at all times respect the confidentiality of others, including patients and colleagues.

What is something to be aware of?

Answer 5

The potential audience of your online activity, that this may be publicly accessible, circulated and shared beyond your control. This activity could impact upon your professional image and the reputation of the profession as a whole.

Question 6

Can organisations use social media?

Answer 6

Organisations may use social media,† such as WhatsApp, to communicate with healthcare professionals in other departments (i.e., between wards), instead of bleeping them. It is important pharmacists understand and follow their company or NHS Trust policies on this practice.

†Social media includes blogging, web forums including professional web forums, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp messaging and virtual networks (this list is not exhaustive).

FURTHER READING
British Medical Association
Social media, ethics and professionalism.

www.bma.org.uk
General Pharmaceutical Council
Demonstrating professionalism online. 2016.

www.pharmacyregulation.org
General Pharmaceutical Council
Guidance on patient confidentiality. 2018.

www.pharmacyregulation.org
(see MEP Appendix 3)
Health and Care Professionals Council
Guidance on the use of social media.

www.hcpc-uk.org