Basic Elements Of Pharmaceutical Care (PC)

Pharmaceutical care is a process of drug therapy management that requires a change in the orientation of traditional professional attitudes and re-engineering of the traditional pharmacy environment. Although "drug therapy" typically refers to intended, beneficial effects of pharmacologic drugs, in this document, "drug therapy" refers to the intended, beneficial use of drugs -- whether diagnostic or therapeutic -- and thus includes diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, X-ray contrast media, etc. in addition to pharmacological drugs. Similarly, "drug therapy plan" includes the outcomes oriented plan for diagnostic drug use in addition to pharmacologic drug use.

Elements of PC

Elements Of Pharmaceutical Care

Certain elements of structure must be in place to provide quality pharmaceutical care. Some of these elements are:

1) knowledge, skill, and function of personnel

2) systems for data collection, documentation, and transfer of information

3) efficient work flow processes

4) references, resources and equipment

5) communication skills

6) commitment to quality improvement and assessment procedures

Read Also: System Of Documentation In Pharmaceutical Care (PC)

Knowledge, Skill, And Function Of Personnel

The implementation of pharmaceutical care is supported by knowledge and skills in the area of patient assessment, clinical information, communication, adult teaching and learning principles and psychosocial aspects of care.

To use these skills, responsibilities must be reassessed, and assigned to appropriate personnel, including pharmacists, technicians, automation, and technology. A mechanism of certifying and credentialing will support the implementation of pharmaceutical care.

Systems For Data Collection And Documentation

The implementation of pharmaceutical care is supported by data collection and documentation systems that accommodate patient care communications (e.g. patient contact notes, medical/medication history), interprofessional communications (e.g. physician communication, pharmacist to pharmacist communication), quality assurance (e.g. patient outcomes assessment, patient care protocols), and research (e.g. data for pharmacoepidemiology, etc.). Documentation systems are vital for reimbursement considerations.

Efficient Work Flow Processes

The implementation of pharmaceutical care is supported by incorporating patient care into the activities of the pharmacist and other personnel.

References, Resources, And Equipment

The implementation of pharmaceutical care is supported by tools which facilitate patient care, including equipment to assess medication therapy adherence and effectiveness, clinical resource materials, and patient education materials. Tools may include computer software support, drug utilization evaluation (DUE) programmes, disease management protocols, etc.

Read Also: Steps In Providing Pharmaceutical Care (PC) To Patients

Communication Skills

The implementation of pharmaceutical care is supported by patient-centered communication. Within this communication, the patient plays a key role in the overall management of the therapy plan.

Quality Assessment/Improvement Programmes

The implementation and practice of pharmaceutical care is supported and improved by measuring, assessing, and improving pharmaceutical care activities utilizing the conceptual framework of continuous quality improvement.