Monday, May 26, 2014

Why is it important for Clinicians and Pharmacists to work together?




The Importance of Building a Partnership between Clinicians and Pharmacists

Working as a member of a team is an important and necessary part of life. Whether you’re playing sports, building a family, or working in an office, things seem to run more smoothly when everyone works together.

The clinical setting is no different. When it comes to patient care, working in collaboration can improve the efficiency and speed of the healing process. Our bodies are multi-functional, and it takes a specialized, dynamic team to care for our unique health issues.
 
What are the Benefits to the Patient?

Having a solid infrastructure designed to bring together healthcare professionals to improve patient care is essential in today’s world. If the collaboration is functioning properly, communication errors and barriers can be eliminated to produce an open-ended dialogue centered around the patient’s health. It can also streamline the questions and concerns to the appropriate clinician. When everyone understands the functions and duties of each member and remains well-informed of all services being performed, the outcome is better patient care.
  
The collaborative effort can also help lower the costs for the patient by remaining up-to-date on alternative medications or services that are available, and communicating these with other clinicians.
 
What are the Benefits to the Pharmacy?
 
Clinical collaborations can help you as a pharmacist understand the resources and services available to the patient, and can help you make an informed decision on their care. You can also expand your areas of expertise simply by understanding the processes from beginning to end. Collaborations help you build strong and lasting partnerships with professionals and their organizations that are all working together for a common good.
 
What are the Benefits to the Public?
 
Sharing information among qualified individuals can help the team develop a plan of action regarding medication, hospital discharge, and patient education. Effective communication between clinicians and pharmacists can lead to lower costs and better understanding for the patient, and one healthier patient can lead to a healthier population. Healthcare professionals can work together to motivate patients to take control of their wellness.

Merging Paths

The healthcare industry is malleable, it’s always changing to meet the needs of the population. In an effort to offer exceptional care, certain policies are adapted, national initiatives are developed, and action is taken to enhance our understanding of patients’ needs. Lately, clinics and hospitals have been adapting a team-oriented approach, rather than the isolated departmental method of caring for individual needs. The new approach allows us to see the forest for the trees, to concentrate on improving overall health in a world where communication is the path to optimal health.
 
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