Patient Education and Improving Outcomes

My month at Mac’s Pharmacy has been an education on the future of pharmacy. As the practice of medicine in the United States incorporates more preventive care, pharmacies are in a unique position to expand their services.  Pharmacists are moving forward from simple dispensaries to the front line of helping patients monitor and manage their disease states.  In my month at Mac’s I have observed and participated in the development of a variety of initiatives designed to help patients learn how to better manage their health.

Pharmacists traditionally counsel patients when they start a new medication, and they are always available to answer medication questions for patients.  But the disease state management paradigm is pushing for a more active role in patient education.  Mac’s is embracing this change by offering free classes for diabetics.  These classes have introduced topics such as healthy eating using the “Plate Method” (which is closely related to the new “plate” design the USDA has introduced); developing an exercise plan, and education about insulin. Teaching one of these classes showed me that even long-term diabetics still have questions about how to best manage their disease.  Providing education opportunities such as this enables pharmacists to build a strong relationship with their customers and helps patients gain a better understanding of how to stay healthy.  Mac’s provided me with an excellent opportunity to help grow this aspect of their pharmacy.

Another expanding aspect of pharmacy that I observed at Mac’s is vaccination.  While June isn’t traditionally a high-volume vaccination period, I did get to observe one Zostavax administration. Although I have given influenza shots, I haven’t mixed and administered a varicella vaccination so I played observer with the patient’s permission as Mike prepared and administered the vaccine.  Vaccination is a growing area of pharmacy service, and Mac’s offers both the shingles (Zostavax) and pneumonia vaccines in addition to the seasonal flu shot.  Having access to vaccinations at a community pharmacy is not just a convenience, but also an opportunity for pharmacists to interact with their patients and offer them additional medication counseling and education services.  

Simple services such as blood pressure checks and blood glucose testing are other services offered at Mac’s Pharmacy.  My time at Mac’s has improved my comfort level with performing these checks and talking with patients about their blood sugar levels and whether their medication is working.

One of the most enjoyable services I was able to do at Mac’s is Medication Therapy Management, or MTM.  This is a process of meeting with a patient, reviewing their medications, and making recommendations to improve their therapy.  Recommendations may involve contacting the physician to adjust medications, or simply helping the patient work on a plan that will make it easier for them to take their medications properly.  MTM is a wonderful way to improve patient outcomes and build strong relationships.

Independent pharmacies such as Mac’s are positioned to provide patient centered, outcome-oriented care.  I truly think that such care is the future of pharmacy, and am happy I had so many opportunities during my time at Mac’s.     


-Melissa Bell