Patient counseling

Patient counseling

Content

• Objectives of patient counseling

• Steps involved in patient counseling

• Barriers of patient counseling

Objective

After completion of this lecture, student will be able to:

• Explain the objectives of patient counseling

• Describe the steps involved in patient counseling

• Explain the barriers of patient counseling

Patient counseling

Definition

• Patient counseling is defined as providing medication information orally or in written form to the patients or their representatives on directions of use, advice on side effects, precautions, storage, diet and life style modifications

Objectives of patient counseling

1. Patient should recognize the importance of medication for his well being

2. A working relationship and a foundation for continuous interaction and consultation should be established

3. Patient's understanding of strategies to deal with medication side effects and drug interactions should be improved

4. Should ensure better patient compliance

5. Patient becomes an informed, efficient and active participant in disease treatment and self-care management

6. The pharmacist should be perceived as a professional who offers pharmaceutical care

7. Drug interactions and adverse drug reactions should be prevented

Functions of patient counseling

Effective patients counseling aims to produce the following results:

• Better patients understanding of their illness and the role of medication in its treatment

• Improved medication adherence

• More effective drug treatment

• Reduced incidence of adverse effects and unnecessary healthcare costs

Counseling Area

• The patient should be counseled in : -semi-private or Private area

• Away from other people and distractions, depending on the medication(s)

• The patient should perceive the counseling area as

-confidential

-secure

-conducive to learning

• This helps ensure both parties are focused on the discussion, and minimizes interruptions and distractions

Communication skills for effective counseling:

The counseling process uses verbal and non-verbal communication skills

Verbal communication skills are:-

-Language

-Tone

-Volume

-Speed

Non-verbal communication skills are:-

-Proximity

-Facial Expression

-Eye Contact

-Body Language

Steps during Patient Counseling

• Counseling is a two-way communication process

• Interaction between the patient and the pharmacist is essential for counseling to be effective

• The following are the steps to be followed during patient counseling

1) Preparing for the session

2) Opening of the session

3) Counseling content

4) Closing the session

Process Steps

1) Establish caring relationships with patients as appropriate to the practice setting and stage in the patient’s health care management

• Introduce yourself as a pharmacist, explain the purpose and expected length of the sessions, and obtain the patient’s agreement to participate

• Determine the patient’s primary spoken language

2) Assess the patient’s knowledge about:

• His or her health problems and medications

• Physical and mental capability to use the medications appropriately

• Attitude toward the health problems and medications

• Ask open ended questions about each medication’s purpose and what the patient expects,

• Ask the patient to describe or show how he or she will use the medication

• They should also be asked to describe any problems, concerns, or uncertainties they are experiencing with their medications

3) Provide information orally and use visual aids or demonstrations to fill patients’ gaps in knowledge and understanding

• Open the medication containers to show patients the colors, sizes, shapes, and markings on oral solids

• For oral liquids and injectable, show patients the dosage marks on measuring devices

• Demonstrate the assembly and use of administration devices such as nasal and oral inhalers

• As a supplement to face-to-face oral communication, provide written handouts to help the patient recall the information

4) If a patient is experiencing problems with his or her medications, gather appropriate data and assess the problems

• Then adjust the pharmacotherapeutic regimens according to protocols or notify the prescribers

5) Verify patients’ knowledge and understanding of medication use

• Ask patients to describe or show how they will use their medications and identify their effects

• Observe patients’ medication-use capability and accuracy and attitudes toward following their pharmacotherapeutic regimens and monitoring plans

Counseling content

The counseling content is considered to be the heart of the counseling session. During this step the pharmacist explains to the patient:

• About his or her medications

• Treatment regimen

• Lifestyle changes such as diet or exercise may also be discussed

Topics commonly covered include:

• Name and strength of the medication

• Reason why it has been prescribed or how it works

• How to take the medication

• Expected duration of treatment

• Expected benefits of treatment

• Possible adverse effects

• Possible medication or dietary interaction

• Advice on correct storage

• Minimum time duration required to show therapeutic benefit

• What to do if a dose is missed

• Special monitoring requirements, e.g blood tests

• Arrangements for obtaining further supplies

Barriers to effective communication

Barriers to effective communication include…

• Physical

• Psychological

• Administrative or

• Time conflict

Physical Barriers

Environmental barrier

• Environmental barrier such as lack of privacy and furniture between patient and pharmacist which prevent effective communication

• It is come under physical barrier

Psychological barrier

Semantics: relate to meanings of words and symbols used in interpersonal communication

• Words only contain meaning in terms of people’s reactions to them

• Words can also have multiple meanings

• Therefore, effective patient communication requires the use of words that are carefully chosen

• Semantics is an example of a psychological barrier

• Negative attitude:

- It is usually cased by lack of confidence

-Pharmacist should strive to improve their talking skill through practice

Administrative barrier

• Administrative barriers such as management may view the lack of money compensated for communication as a reason not to communicate

• More money is made by prescribing medication, not caring for patients

Time barrier

• Time barriers are interlinked with administrative barriers because management is responsible for staffing levels as well as allocation of work duties

• Time limits are very common when it comes to pharmacists and patients

• Time restraints are often excuses not to counsel, though it often does not take very long

Summary

• Patient counseling is defined as providing medication information orally or in written form to the patients

• Verbal communication skills

Steps to be followed during patient counseling

1) Preparing for the session

2) Opening of the session

3) Counseling content

4) Closing the session

• Barriers of counseling session

• Physical