The periods of finding a recovery or cure from a defeating ailment can be such promising and courageous times. Sometimes you are so desperate for a quick recovery perhaps due to severe pains but with all this, it is important that you are guided on how to maneuver the pains using the medication care by the care pharmacist.
Patient counselling is a practice of providing medication information verbally or in written form to the patients or their representatives relating to directions of use, treatment duration, expected benefits, advice on possible side effects, what to do when the dose is missed, precautions on storage, diet and life style modifications. But a little moment with the pharmacist at the counter, semi-private or private room can be a great redemption from the downhill of health. In the pharmaceutical world, patient education and counselling is of predominant importance with the following objectives:
- Patient counselling establishes a working relationship and a foundation for continuous interaction and consultation.
- Once a pharmacist explains to the patient about their medication and treatment regimen, the patient recognizes the importance of medication for his wellbeing i.e. starting from the name of the medicine, strength, why it is prescribed and how it works, duration of the treatment and storage precautions.
- Your understanding of strategies to deal with medication side effects and drug interactions is ultimately improved.
- Creates an opportunity for you to ask questions you may be hesitant to ask in public thus encouraging you to become more informed, efficient and actively participate in disease treatment and self-care management.
- Patient counselling ensures that you comply with taking medication in the prescribed pattern and duration thereby improving your quality of life.
- Drug interactions and adverse reactions are better prevented.
A good and appropriate counselling can help improve your mood as a patient, treat mental illness, reduce medical costs, improve communication and relationships, and promote self-esteem and resilience. At last we can strongly say that patient counselling is a part and parcel of quality pharmaceutical care.