Pharmacists’ abilities often underutilized by patients
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
December 2, 2009
Although pharmacists' extensive knowledge of medications and how they work may be understood by those in the healthcare community, many patients do not utilize the services of their local pharmacists, reports the Los Angeles Times. Although many states requires pharmacists to offer specific information to patients about their medications, this does not always happen. A study from the Center for Health Improvement examining patients 65 and older in California from 2004 to 2005 found that more than 50% of patients refused any extra assistance offered by a pharmacist. This extra assistance is often counseling on how to take the medication properly, side effects, and with what other medications it might interact.
Patients refuse this type of assistance for many reasons. They may be in a rush or may perceive any questions for the pharmacist as bothersome. Also, they may be embarrassed to admit not understanding the medication they're taking.
