Linked to EAHP Statements:
Section 4: Clinical Pharmacy Services
Section 5: Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-16-006-L04-P. A knowledge based activity.

Abstract

Pharmacy services for practical reasons tend to be designed for the convenience of pharmacy services rather than the benefit of patients. Large workloads together with limited staffing levels demand efficient task driven processes. This task driven rather than patient orientated approach, driven by economic necessity and organizational pressure, seldom includes time to listen to the views of patients.

Rarely are patients encouraged to give their views on the service that they receive or the difficulties that they might face with their medicines. Healthcare systems that do not listen to patients are known to achieve poor health outcomes.

Patient centred healthcare presents new approaches to designing pharmacy services, taking into account the views and needs of patients gained through various ways including surveys, meetings and the use of technology and as a result develops new innovative approaches to delivering pharmacy services.

Teaching goals:

• To present the imperative for patient centred pharmacy services;
• To describe ways to promote patient engagement;
• To provide examples of patient centred pharmacy services.