I don't understand why MDs and NPs are so hellbent on keeping PharmDs out of the "medical realm," when not too long ago NPs were fought and lobbied to be considered a provider. Now, they're vital. They can provide patient care at a reduced cost. It's great.
The root of the question here is, what's beneficial to the patient? There's so much bickering that can just be resolved if we answer that question.
PharmDs, with training, can do the same. I am a clinical pharmacist, and see almost 40-50% of our patients, and almost all of our high-risk patients at my clinic. We have a great relationship here with all providers, because it has been time tested and we have proven ourselves. Most of the providers send a referral to us as "evaluate and treat." We educate, treat, and manage all aspects of a patient...not in lieu of their PCP, but in collaboration with them. I have my own DEA and prescribing license. I am able to understand most treatment failures and modify their therapy. We aren't constricted to a 15 minute appointment, and are able to get most of our patients to goal.
And you know what else, I am the drug expert at my site. If you have a question, I'll answer it for you. If I can't, I know how. We are in a healthcare crisis. We have a shortage of primary care providers...why not take the help you have in front of you? My clinic has opened 3 other clinics, and all them had to have clinical pharmacy....mandated from the CEO, CMO, and all medical directors.
I am not above any of the providers I work with, nor am I below them. We all serve as a vital part of the healthcare system. I do not go by doctor at the clinic. Myself and my docs are all on a first-name basis. The only time I use my title is in the classroom, because I've earned it.
Lastly, the term pill pusher only shows your lack of understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. That patient that tells you, "Oh, I promise you're the only doc I see!" has prescriptions from 6 other places. We check interactions, duplications, errors, etc. So what if it's computerized? My colleagues will still catch things that the computer doesn't recognize. and isn't almost everything computerized now? Why do you think they've been switched to e-prescribing now? Because it's more efficient and decreases the amount of errors.
/rant
The root of the question here is, what's beneficial to the patient? There's so much bickering that can just be resolved if we answer that question.
PharmDs, with training, can do the same. I am a clinical pharmacist, and see almost 40-50% of our patients, and almost all of our high-risk patients at my clinic. We have a great relationship here with all providers, because it has been time tested and we have proven ourselves. Most of the providers send a referral to us as "evaluate and treat." We educate, treat, and manage all aspects of a patient...not in lieu of their PCP, but in collaboration with them. I have my own DEA and prescribing license. I am able to understand most treatment failures and modify their therapy. We aren't constricted to a 15 minute appointment, and are able to get most of our patients to goal.
And you know what else, I am the drug expert at my site. If you have a question, I'll answer it for you. If I can't, I know how. We are in a healthcare crisis. We have a shortage of primary care providers...why not take the help you have in front of you? My clinic has opened 3 other clinics, and all them had to have clinical pharmacy....mandated from the CEO, CMO, and all medical directors.
I am not above any of the providers I work with, nor am I below them. We all serve as a vital part of the healthcare system. I do not go by doctor at the clinic. Myself and my docs are all on a first-name basis. The only time I use my title is in the classroom, because I've earned it.
Lastly, the term pill pusher only shows your lack of understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. That patient that tells you, "Oh, I promise you're the only doc I see!" has prescriptions from 6 other places. We check interactions, duplications, errors, etc. So what if it's computerized? My colleagues will still catch things that the computer doesn't recognize. and isn't almost everything computerized now? Why do you think they've been switched to e-prescribing now? Because it's more efficient and decreases the amount of errors.
/rant