Your pharmacy is the ultimate source for patients who need help managing their chronic conditions.
For many patients, managing a chronic condition, like diabetes, is a part of life. But for newly-diagnosed patients, it’s life-changing.
From initial diagnosis to daily management, your independent community pharmacy is a place for patients to receive care, comfort and support.
Use these tips to help newly-diagnosed patients feel more comfortable at your pharmacy.
Meet with the patient individually
Independent pharmacies are known for exceptional customer service. And, for newly-diagnosed patients, individual time with a pharmacist and top-notch personalized care will be much needed.
Meeting one-on-one with recently-diagnosed individuals can help patients learn how to better deal with their diagnosis, feel more supported by your pharmacy staff and find new ways to improve their health.
For example, a patient newly diagnosed with high blood pressure might need extra assistance in learning about her new medication regimen. Or, through personal counsel she can discover ways to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Implement support groups
For patients with lifelong conditions, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), diabetes or mental illness, a sudden diagnosis can be an emotionally trying time.
Fortunately, your independent community pharmacy can play a valuable role in helping to ease the stress and anxieties of these patients.
Newly-diagnosed patients need a support system to lean on—physically and emotionally. Nurture an environment of support at your pharmacy by organizing weekly or monthly support groups.
Benefits support groups provide for patients include:
- Participating in an encouraging environment with similarly-affected individuals
- Learning how others affected with the same condition manage the disease
- Finding tactics for coping with emotional stress related to the disease
Take a look at your front end
Patients diagnosed with a new condition will be frequenting your pharmacy for more than just prescriptions and your expert advice. Your pharmacy’s front end will also need to be well equipped with the products patients need.
For example, a patient with diabetes might need to purchase syringes, supplements, glucose products and other supplementary diabetes products to manage his condition.
Be sure to ask yourself these five questions to determine the right front-end products to stock at your pharmacy.
Outsource help
Sudden diagnoses can be an upsetting experience for some patients.
Develop partnerships with key health care professionals to help patients better manage their condition by first improving their mental health regarding the illness.
Forming relations with professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists or other mental health care professionals, can help your pharmacy better serve patients experiencing trauma or negative feelings concerning their condition.
Use the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Psychologist Locator to refer patients to psychologists in your area.
Are recently-diagnosed patients coming to your independent pharmacy? Learn what patients are looking for in a pharmacy.
