The Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) published the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process after realizing the need for a uniform procedure in the provision of patient care throughout the profession. The patient care pharmacy is applicable to any practice setting where pharmacists provide patient care as well as to any patient care service provided by pharmacists.

What is a Patient Care Pharmacy?

Patient care pharmacy is many direct patient care services, such as vaccinations, preventative care, wellness checks, collaborative care, medication therapy management (MTM), chronic disease management, and other direct patient care services, available from pharmacists.

What is the Process of Pharmacists’ Patient Care?

Using principles of evidence-based practice, pharmacists:

Collect

The pharmacist makes sure that the necessary subjective and objective data is gathered about the patient in order to comprehend their relevant medical/medication history and current clinical status. Information can be gathered and verified from a variety of sources, including the patient, other medical professionals, and the patient’s past medical records. This process includes collecting:

• a list of all current medications, including herbal products, dietary supplements, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs, and a history of medication use.
• Relevant health information, such as medical history, wellness statistics, biometric test results, and physical examination findings.
• Socioeconomic factors affect access to medications and other aspects of care, as well as the patient’s lifestyle choices, religious and philosophical beliefs, and goals for their health and functional abilities.

Plan

Together with the patient or caregiver, other healthcare professionals, and the pharmacist, an evidence-based, cost-efficient, and patient-centered care plan is created. This process includes establishing a care plan that:

• focuses on issues relating to medications and enhances medication therapy.
• establishes therapeutic objectives for achieving clinical outcomes in the context of the patient’s overall healthcare objectives and access to care.
• educates, empowers, and actively involves the patient in their own care.
• assists with maintaining continuity of care, including follow-up and appropriate care transitions.

Assess

To recognize and prioritize issues and provide the best possible care, the pharmacist evaluates the data gathered and examines the clinical effects of the patient’s therapy in light of the patient’s overall health objectives. This process includes assessing:

• Each medication is evaluated for appropriateness, efficacy, safety, and patient adherence.
• Health and functional status, risk factors, health information, cultural considerations, health literacy, and accessibility to medications or other aspects of care.
• Immunization status, the requirement for preventive care, and the need for other healthcare services, as necessary.

Implement

In collaboration with the patient or caregiver, other healthcare professionals, and the pharmacist, the care plan is put into action. During the process of implementing the care plan, the pharmacist:

• addressing issues with medication and health, as well as taking preventive measures like giving vaccines.
• initiates adjust, ends, or dispenses medication therapy as directed.
• educates and trains the patient or caregiver in self-management.
• contributes to the coordination of care, including the patient’s transfer to another healthcare provider.
• schedules follow-up care as required to reach therapeutic goals.

Follow-up: Monitor and Evaluate

The pharmacist keeps an eye on the effectiveness of the care plan, evaluates it, and, if necessary, modifies it in conjunction with the patient or caregiver and other medical professionals. This process includes the continuous monitoring and evaluation of:

• Using available health information, the results of biometric tests, and patient feedback, medications’ appropriateness, effectiveness, and safety as well as patients’ adherence.
• clinical outcomes that affect the patient’s general health.
• outcomes of care, such as advancements made or therapeutic goals met.

What is the Highest Paid Type of Pharmacist?

The highest paying pharmacists’ jobs are in-store pharmacist (average salary: $156,000), compounding pharmacist ($150,000), hospital pharmacist ($148,000), and pharmacometrician ($142,000).

Why Are Pharmacists Paid So Much?

Pharmacists are vital in ensuring that patients receive safe medications in addition to dispensing medication. Because of this extensive training and knowledge, pharmacists are compensated with higher-than-average salaries. Most people are aware that working as a pharmacist can be a lucrative career.

Is Being a Pharmacist Worth It?

As a pharmacist, you can make an excellent living which is one of the top advantages of being a pharmacist. The lowest-paid pharmacist earns about $112,000 a year. The average pharmacist earns about $128,000 a year in salary.

Conclusion

Patient care pharmacy is where pharmacists can provide valuable ongoing, thorough assessment and management of drug therapy through the provision of patient care services, working with doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals, caregivers, and patients. In this capacity, pharmacists will be able to raise the standard of care, produce clinical results tailored to individual patients, and cut healthcare spending in general.