This program has helped me to view the patient globally. I have changed my focus to helping patients address their own concerns about their health. Patients appreciate the extra effort on our part. At first, they were cautious because this has not been an area where pharmacists have traditionally been involved. The largest challenge that I have faced is time management.
Pharmaceutical care is very time intensive, especially in the developmental stages.
The provision of these services has to be balanced with dispensing presently since there is currently no alternative reimbursement mechanism. There is no secret to gaining a patient's trust. This goes a very long way. Balance this familiarity with respect and concern and the patient will trust you enough to tell you almost anything. We created private consultation areas for prescription as well as home health care items in January 1996.