Patient Education

Question 1

Why should pharmacists consult with patients about their medications?

Answer 1

• Patient understanding
• Reduce medication errors
• Establish a relationship
• Might get more information to provide better care
• Give opportunity to ask questions
• Enough info to determine drug interactions
• It’s the LAW

Question 2

Why wouldn’t pharmacists consult with patients about their medications?

Answer 2

• Busy
• Patients don’t want to be counseled
• Refilled prescription
• Mailed prescription
• Unpleasant patient
• Not have the language, tool, competent, etc.
• Family member prescription
• Environment not conducive to counseling

Question 3

OBRA-90

Answer 3

• Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990
  
  • Federal law requires us to
    
    • Offer counseling to Medicaid patients for both new and refill Rx

Question 4

How does WA Law differ?

Answer 4

• Patient counseling required
• Get around with “reasonable and necessary”

Question 5

What kind of information does OBRA suggest we share with patients?

Answer 5

• Name and description of medication
• Route of administration, dosage form, dosage, duration
• Special directions, precautions for preparations, administration and use by the patient
• Common/severe side effects; potential adverse effects; interactions and therapeutic contraindications that may be encountered, including their avoidance and action if they occur
• Techniques for self-managing drug therapy
  
  • How know if working
  • Ex: take blood pressure
• Proper storage
• Prescription refill information
• Action to be taken in the even of a missed dose

Question 6

3 Prime Questions and What you learn

Answer 6

• What did the doctor tell you the medication was for?
  
  • Condition/diagnosis/problem
• How did the doctor tell you to take/use the mediation
  
  • Health literacy, route, frequency, special instructions
• What did the doctor tell you to expect from the medication?
  
  • Side effects, self-monitoring, lots of things
• Final verification (teach-back)

Question 7

Patient Counseling

Answer 7

• Introduction:
  
  • Hi I’m blah blah blah
  • What is name and DOB? Allergies, medical conditions, other medications
  • State purpose of consultation
• Body:
  
  • Have you taken this before? (show meds)
  • What did doctor tell you this was for?
  • How did s/he tell you to use it?
    
    • Identifies instruction on label
    • Special instruction
    • What to do if miss dose
  • What did s/he tell you to expect?
    
    • Long to work
    • How know if working
    • What should the patient do if it doesn’t work
    • Possible side effects/cautions/warning
    • How to prevent/manage those side effects
    • Refill
    • Special storage
• Conclusion
  
  • Teach back
  • Open ended inquiry of questions
  • Close session by provide contact info