This past week, two articles regarding pharmacist scope of practice caught my eye – with two completely opposing viewpoints.
The first article* discusses how patients view pharmacists.
- ~55% of respondents ages 26-42 y/o visited a pharmacy to receive care in the past year
- 58% are likely to visit a local pharmacy as a first step for a non-emergency medical issue
- 81% trust a pharmacist to diagnose minor illnesses and prescribe medications
- 62% would go to a local pharmacy for flu shots and other adult vaccinations
The second article from the American Medical Association (AMA) took advantage of an Achilles’ heel created by Covid – burnout. The AMA stated pharmacists “aren’t qualified” and are “too stressed” to provide services such as test and treat and immunization delivery.
This article reminds me of the AMA’s pushback when pharmacists first started giving immunizations 25 years ago. Our worth speaks for itself, and it definitely spoke as our profession stepped up and provided the immunizations and testing services needed to get our country through the Covid pandemic.
I often think of this quote as I experience times of push back or need for change:
In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists. – Eric Hoffer
That said, I encourage you to continue learning and advancing – never get comfortable with the status quo.
Jen + The CEimpact Team
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Level Up Your Pharmacy Practice
The patient survey from the article referenced above makes the case for pharmacists to continue expanding patient care services. If you want to learn more about how to Level Up your pharmacy practice, subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss any conversations about how best to do just that!
Make sure to subscribe here to the CEimpact podcast!
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While You’re Waiting for the Level Up Podcast Launch . . .
Check out these 30-minute conversations we had with Randy McDonough.
- Challenging and Disrupting Pharmacy
- Real Tips on Combatting Burnout in Community Pharmacy
- Creating Impactful & Cost Effective Change in Your Pharmacy Practice
- Community Health Workers: Who, What, & Why are they important in Pharmacy
- Build Your Pharmacy Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Level Up Your Therapeutic Relationships
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Law CE Now Available in the Pharmacist + Technician by Design Membership
Pharmacists – Nearly 30 hours of pharmacy law continuing education is now available in the CEimpact membership! Get these courses + an additional 150 hours of CE to support your pharmacy career for only $129.
Pharmacy Technicians get nearly 20 hours of pharmacy law CE + an additional 50 hours of CE for only $59.
