Collaborating with physicians can be time-consuming and difficult, but the benefits of partnership can greatly outweigh any initial obstacles.
Establishing good partnerships with local physicians in your area is important. It gives your pharmacy business a valuable upper hand.
Pharmacists and physicians have similar goals, such as improving patient care and maintaining a patient base. Working in conjunction with physicians can help your business become more profitable while also helping patients receive the best possible health care.
Here are seven ways partnering with physicians can help benefit your pharmacy.
1. Partnering can establish mutual referrals
Building relationships with local physicians can result in patient referrals.
Start building relationships by introducing yourself to physicians in your area. If your pharmacy focuses on a specific niche, such as compounding or diabetic care, mention that to the physician. When physicians know about the services you offer, there’s a greater chance they’ll recommend your pharmacy to their patients.
Don’t forget to make the relationships mutually beneficial by referring patients to the appropriate physician in your area.
2. Partnering enables personalized patient care
When pharmacies and physicians work together, patients receive more one-on-one, individualized care.
Take managing a patient’s blood pressure, for example. The patient can visit your pharmacy for convenient weekly blood pressure checks and you can update the physician on the patient’s progress.
Patients will receive the personalized treatment that an independent community pharmacy has to offer, which can increase the likelihood that they’ll come back to your business in the future.
3. Partnering can increase patient adherence
When physicians refer their patients to your pharmacy, it can potentially improve patient adherence.
Patients may be more likely to pick up their prescription at a pharmacy recommended by their physician.
And, when new patients see the individualized care and attention they can receive at your pharmacy, they may be more likely to come back.
4. Partnering can boost patient care programs
Partnering with local physicians can expand the patient care programs you currently offer, such as diabetes education, smoking cessation or chronic care management.
Ask physicians to work together on projects. How much or how little they’re involved depends on your relationships. Maybe the physician only gives a talk once a month at your diabetes education sessions or maybe you work together to create a complete smoking cessation program.
Either way, partnering can help improve your patients’ health.
5. Partnering can make communication easier
Communication is a common obstacle for pharmacists and physicians. But when you work together, you’re better able to treat your patients.
Make it a point to reach out to your local physicians regularly. Give them a call, send them an email or stop by their office with a gift of donuts or cookies. These small communications can lead to better relationships.
6. Partnering can improve education
Act as a resource for physicians. Let them know you’re there to answer any questions they or their patients may have.
It’s important to also let physicians know what services your pharmacy offers. Educating them on the types of services you offer, such as free delivery, vaccinations or your unique stock of items like compression hose or diabetic shoes, can help your pharmacy stand out to local physicians.
7. Partnering can be financially beneficial
Collaborating with local physicians can be profitable for your business.
You’ll potentially gain new patients, and once they see what your independent community pharmacy has to offer, they may become loyal patients, too.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to local physicians. Building relationships is beneficial for you, them and, most importantly, your patients.
