Pharmacists as Providers: For Patients

Pharmacists play an important role in your health care. The Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists and MPA Public Affairs Committee developed a resource to help patients learn about the role that pharmacists play in various areas. This will help you understand how to best utilize the services that your pharmacist provides and play an active role in your own health care.

Click on the black bars below for more information about these various areas. Or, click here or on the image at the right to access a booklet that includes all of the areas in one resource.


Anticoagulation (Thinning of the Blood)

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in anticoagulation care.

"Pharmacists assist physicians in the regular monitoring of each patient, working with doctors to make changes to the medications when needed."

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in antimicrobial stewardship.

"Using an antibiotic in one patient can reduce how well it will work for another patient"

Asthma (Long-term Lung Disease)

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in asthma care.

"Pharmacists can help patients by talking about medications that can help them feel better, improve their breathing and release any tightness they may be feeling in their chest."

Cancer

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in cancer care.

"Pharmacists serve as a safety check during all steps of cancer treatment, making sure that the best combination and dosages of medications are being given to the patient for their type of cancer. "

Cardiac Care

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in cardiac care.

"Once a patient has heart disease, their pharmacist can help them manage it by regularly taking their blood pressure."

Diabetes

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in diabetes care.

"Pharmacists teach patients and other health care providers on the medications used to treat diabetes and help in selecting the best treatment option(s) for each individual patient."

Emergency Medicine

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in emergency medicine.

"Pharmacists in this setting help by using their knowledge about medications to make sure that each patient gets the best therapy, based on his or her specific medical needs."

Geriatrics

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in geriatric care.

"Pharmacists play an important role in helping elderly patients stay as healthy as possible. Since elderly patients are often on many medications, pharmacists will obtain many details about a patient’s medication history."

HIV/AIDS

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in HIV/AIDS care.

"Pharmacists can help patients understand this importance by teaching each patient about HIV/AIDS and how the HIV medications work to keep the virus from attacking their body as well as answer questions."

Immunizations

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in providing immunizations.

"Today, pharmacists are recognized as routine providers of flu shots as well as many other adult and adolescent immunizations such as tetanus, shingles and pneumonia. "

Intensive Care

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in intensive care.

"Pharmacists are involved at the point of decision-making, participating in check-ins with the medical staff and making suggestions on drug therapy before medication is even ordered. "

Medication Therapy Management

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in medication therapy management.

"All of these services are provided by pharmacists with the overarching goal to improve patients' health and reduce healthcare costs."

Nephrology (Study of Kidneys)

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in nephrology.

"Pharmacists make sure that all doses of medications are properly adjusted for the patient’s degree of kidney disease."

Organ Transplant

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in organ transplant care.

"Most transplant patients take 10 or more medications. The pharmacist reviews the medications with the patients, nurses and physicians to help prevent interactions and drug toxicities."

Osteoporosis

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in osteoporosis care.

"Pharmacists are nearby in almost every community, providing a close location where patients can get care and reduce the risks associated with osteoporosis. "

Pain Management

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in pain management.

"Communication between a pharmacist and patient is just as important to pain management as the medications. "

Pediatrics

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in pediatric care.

"With the help of a pharmacist, parents can be sure their child is getting a safe dose of medicine when it is appropriate."

Pharmacy Technician Practice

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacy technician practice.

"Pharmacy technicians practice diligently to make sure that patients stay safe and that pharmacists have the support they need to improve each patient’s well-being."

Point-of-Care Testing

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in point-of-care testing.

"Training for RDT use by pharmacists is increasing and allowing more and more of them to be available to the public, in turn creating healthier neighborhoods."

Public Safety

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in public safety.

"Pharmacists are called upon to work with other emergency responders to manage drug therapy for disaster victims. "

Specialty Pharmacy

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in specialty pharmacy.

"Pharmacists in specialty pharmacies help by using their knowledge of medications to make sure each patient receives the best therapy based on his or her specific medical needs."

Transitions of Care

Click here to access the one-page resource on pharmacist involvement in transitions of care.

"Pharmacists provide patient education and work closely with other healthcare providers to ensure safe transitions of care"