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Blog Summary
Pharmacists have gone from solely dispensing medications to providing comprehensive patient care. The increasing demand for patient care responsibilities makes studying pharmacy programs vital in the healthcare field. Over the past decade, healthcare has experienced significant changes, completely transforming pharmacists’ professional roles. Pharmacists now work in diverse patient care teams, a far cry from what was once thought impossible. This shift has sparked a need for aspiring pharmacy students to enroll in accredited online programs. Today, pharmacists are highly educated professionals in great demand. They have the time and opportunity to exceed the role of barcode readers, thanks to programs that educate them on disease processes, Pharmacotherapy knowledge, and medication administration. For more information, check out this enlightening blog.
The Role of Pharmacists in Patient Care
Pharmacists hold a critical position as the third largest group of healthcare professionals in the United States. With a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B Pharm), some pharmacists also pursue non-patient care roles such as teaching, research, and administration.
Contrary to the common perception that pharmacists simply fill and dispense medications, their role extends beyond these tasks. They play a vital role in counseling patients, minimizing medication errors, and providing valuable assistance ensuring accuracy. The significance of pharmacists in the healthcare system cannot be overstated. A forecast report from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) predicts a potential shortfall of up to 157,000 pharmacists by 2020.
The pharmacy field has evolved into a multidisciplinary discipline, particularly with the emergence of “global healthcare.” The growing responsibilities of patient care have necessitated the study of pharmacy programs to delve into disease processes, acquire knowledge in Pharmacotherapy, and enhance patient monitoring skills.
Several factors have contributed to the expansion of pharmacy services. These include advancements in medications and drug therapies, the exploration of new applications for existing medications, the rise in authorized prescribers, increased affordability and availability of generic drugs, and more. Consequently, there has been an increased demand for pharmacists in hospitals, clinics, retail settings, government agencies, and academic institutions.
Unfortunately, the growth of the pharmacist workforce has not kept pace with the rising demand for their services. This is partly due to the limited growth in educational opportunities for aspiring pharmacists over the years. As a result, a nationwide shortage of pharmacists emerged in the late 1990s, regardless of the location within the country.
Young pharmacists looking to establish their careers found numerous job opportunities across the nation, surpassing the number of qualified professionals available to fill these positions. This mismatch between supply and demand accentuated the urgency of addressing the pharmacist shortage.
Recognizing the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system, efforts have been made to bridge this gap. Pharmacy schools and educational institutions have expanded their programs to accommodate more students and produce a larger pool of qualified pharmacists. Furthermore, initiatives have been undertaken to improve the recruitment and retention of pharmacists, ensuring that healthcare settings have an adequate supply of these professionals.
One notable initiative to address the pharmacist shortage is the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which has become the standard for entry into pharmacy practice. This advanced degree equips pharmacists with enhanced clinical knowledge and skills, enabling them to provide direct patient care and collaborate with other healthcare professionals in a team-based approach.
In addition to expanding educational opportunities, efforts have been made to enhance the visibility and recognition of pharmacists as essential healthcare providers. Organizations such as the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) advocate for the profession, promote pharmacist-led services, and highlight pharmacists’ value to patient care.
Moreover, technological advancements have played a significant role in shaping the future of pharmacy practice. Electronic health records, tele pharmacy services, and automated dispensing systems have improved efficiency and enabled pharmacists to focus more on direct patient care activities. These technological advancements have the potential to alleviate some of the workload pressures on pharmacists and enhance their overall effectiveness in healthcare settings.
In conclusion, pharmacists are pivotal in healthcare, serving as indispensable healthcare team members. Their responsibilities encompass more than simply dispensing medications; they actively contribute to patient counseling, reducing medication errors, and ensuring accuracy. The evolving pharmacy field demands a multidisciplinary approach, necessitating the study of disease processes, pharmacotherapy knowledge, and patient monitoring skills. However, a shortage of pharmacists emerged due to the rapid growth of healthcare needs outpacing the expansion of the pharmacist workforce, requiring increased educational opportunities and recruitment efforts to meet the growing demand
