Pharmacists hold a unique position among health care professionals in ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes by serving as patient advocates. Medications extend the treatment patients receive in the doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic into their homes, and pharmacists play a critical role in managing this transition.
Our care is essential to the collaboration within health care teams, acting as a vital liaison between the team and the patient to ensure alignment and consistency in the approach to care. Pharmacists are often the last health care professional a patient sees after receiving care from a facility, and typically one of the most accessible. We play an essential role in managing the patient’s lasting wellness.
Patient Safety
Patient safety within the pharmacist’s role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. Before transitioning to academia, I worked as a certified transitions of care pharmacist, where I gained firsthand experience with the communication challenges that often arise during hospital discharges. Patients may go home to a skilled nursing facility, a board-and-care home, or even hospice or palliative care. In many instances, communication between patients and providers—and among the providers themselves—breaks down, particularly concerning pharmacy and medications. My role was to ensure that nothing fell through the cracks so patients could successfully transition to the next stage of care.
Medication Reconciliation
Medication reconciliation is closely tied to patient safety. As a transition of care pharmacist, my role involved reviewing medications to identify and resolve errors such as incorrect dosages, duplications or omissions. While collaborating with the patient’s health care team, I often identified gaps in therapy caused by miscommunication between specialists, primary care, or other physicians. I carefully reviewed patient records to identify potential drug interactions or allergies and implemented safety protocols to ensure a seamless transition of care. In every aspect of this work, I served as a dedicated advocate for the patient.
Education and Counseling
About the Author
Lisa Kipper, PharmD, serves as the director of experiential education and an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, California. In her role, Kipper is dedicated to managing and enhancing the quality of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. Her work focuses on assessing experiential teaching with an emphasis on competencies and outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement in student education and preceptor retention. Kipper is also committed to student mentorship and professional development.
Kipper earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific. Her career began as a community pharmacist with Target Corporation, then as a clinical ambulatory care pharmacist in a medical facility. She then transitioned to Saddleback Medical Center, as a certified transition of care pharmacist. There, she developed a successful Meds-to-Beds Program to increase compliance upon discharge and reduce readmissions. Her expertise includes disease management, physician engagement, patient education, compliance, quality assurance, and process improvement.
Kipper has actively contributed to various professional organizations. She serves as a faculty advisor for the California Pharmacists Association and the American Pharmacists Association at the University. Her involvement extends to numerous committees within these organizations, where she advocates for legislative changes, enhances professional education, and mentors future pharmacists.
Her dedication to the profession of pharmacy is evident in her extensive teaching roles, professional event coordination, and numerous presentations and publications. Kipper is strongly committed to improving patient outcomes, educating future pharmacists, and advancing the field of pharmacy.
One of the most crucial roles pharmacists play as patient advocates is educating and counseling the patients themselves. Imagine a patient discharged after a hospital stay, overwhelmed with a folder full of papers and instructions from nurses and physicians, now alone at home, trying to recall and implement everything required to manage their health. In this situation, a consultation with a pharmacist is invaluable. By clearly explaining the purpose of each medication, proper usage and potential adverse effects (AEs), pharmacists empower patients to feel informed and confident in managing their therapy. They also address any concerns or misconceptions, building trust and promoting adherence. When a pharmacist takes the time to provide thorough counseling, it significantly enhances a patient’s understanding and ability to follow their treatment plan effectively, resulting in better outcomes.
Continuing Care
This investment in the patient’s health continues throughout their treatment. Pharmacists assist patients in staying on track with their medications and adherence by using tools such as pill organizers, reminders, and digital apps. They may also suggest long-acting formulations or coordinate refill synchronization to reduce barriers to adherence. When the patient adheres to their medication therapy, they decrease the risk of complications of disease and number of hospitalizations. And through regular follow-ups, pharmacists assess therapeutic outcomes and adjust medication plans in collaboration with prescribers. For example, if a patient experiences AEs or shows poor response to therapy, the pharmacist might suggest dose titration or an alternative medication.
A Lesson in Compassion
Compassion is perhaps the most powerful tool a pharmacist has when serving as a patient advocate. While working in a hospital setting, I prioritized teaching this valuable lesson to student pharmacists during their rotations. Now, as both an assistant professor and the director of experiential education at my institution, I am deeply invested in helping our students make the most of their rotations.
Over the course of a year, pharmacy students rotate every 6 weeks through various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and retail pharmacies. These experiences not only expose them to the diverse career opportunities in pharmacy but also connect them with people. They engage with patients across all levels of illness and need, interact with them, get to know their stories and provide care. I believe these real-world interactions offer a far more impactful lesson in compassion and patient advocacy than any textbook ever could.
