Patient Counseling Flashcards
defined as providing medication information orally or in written form to the patients or their representatives on directions of use, advice on side effects, precautions, storage, diet and life style modifications.
patient counseling
aim of patient counseling
- Better patients understanding of their illness and the role of medication in its treatment.
- Improved medication adherence.
- More effective drug treatment.
- Reduced incidence of adverse effects and unnecessary healthcare costs.
- Improved quality of life for the patient.
- Better coping strategies to deal with medication related adverse effects.
- Improved professional rapport between the patient and pharmacist
patients who should always be counseled
- Confused patients, and their caregivers
- Patients who are sight or hearing impaired
- Patients with poor literacy
- Patients whose profile shows a change in medications or dosing
- New patients, or those receiving a medication for the first time (transfer prescription)
- Children, and parents receiving medication
- Patients receiving medication with special storage requirements, complicated directions
patients who should be counseled at certain intervals
- Asthmatic patients
- Diabetic patients
- Patients taking 4 or more prescribed medications
- Patients who are mentally ill - Patients using appliances/medical devices
- Epileptic patients
- Patients with skin complaints
- Patients misusing drugs
Patients who are terminally ill
a semi- private, or private, area away from other people and distractions, depending on the medication(s).
counselling area
non-verbal communication skills
- proximity
- facial expression
verbal communication skills
- Language
- Tone
- Volume
- Speed
a two-way communication process and interaction between the patient and the pharmacist is essential
counseling
(stage of counseling) introduction
- Review the patient’s record
- Introduce your self
- Explain purpose of counseling
- Obtain drug related information such as allergies, use of herbals etc.
- Assess the patients understanding of the reasons for therapy
- Assess any actual and / or potential concerns or problems of importance to the patient.
(stage of counseling) process content
- Use language that the patient understands
- Use appropriate counseling aids
- Present facts and concepts in simple words and in logical order
- Use open-ended questions.
(stage of counseling) conclusion
- Verify the patient’s understanding by means of feedback
- Summarize by emphasizing key points
- Give an opportunity to the patient to put forward any concerns.
- Help the patient to plain follow-up
what should be included in counselling?
- Name and strength of the medication.
- Reason why it has been prescribed or how it works
- How to take the medication
- Expected duration of treatment.
- Expected benefits of treatment.
- Possible adverse effects.
- Possible medication or dietary interaction.
- Advice on correct storage.
- Minimum time duration required showing therapeutic benefit.
- What to do if a dose is missed.
- Special monitoring requirements, e.g blood tests.
- Arrangements for obtaining further supplies.
TESDA Pharmacy Services NC III Core competencies project involved in patient counselling
Project 4: Demonstrate product knowledge on medicines
a written summary of all the medicines you take regularly, including over-the-counter and complementary medicines
Patient Medication Profile (PMP)
your PMP can help you understand:
your medicines and and how, why, and when to take your medicine
