Pharmacist involvement in an endocrinology clinic.
The patient-care activities of pharmacists involved in the operation of an endocrinology clinic are described. During the patient's initial clinic visit, the pharmacist completes a medication profile by interviewing the patients and reviewing each patient's medication. The clinic also serves as a teaching laboratory. Pharmacy students gain experience interviewing, obtaining medication profiles, evaluating drug-related problems, and conveying their findings to the physician. The pharmacists' activities include: (1) explaining the prescribed medication to the patients on a one-to-one basis, (2) discussing the importance of compliance with the family members who motivate and reinforce positive behavior, (3) fostering relationships with the patients, physicians, and other patient-care personnel, and (4) helping the patients obtain medications that are not commonly found in community pharmacies. Pharmacist involvement in an endocrinology clinic can be an effective means of ensuring patient compliance and enhancing interdisciplinary participation, and it can serve as a clinical learning experience for pharmacy students.
D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D013022:South Carolina