Barriers to Effective Patient Counseling Pharmacy Practice 720 October 18-22, 2004

Barriers to Counseling Time Physical Economic Patient’s perception of RPh Lack of awareness of availability

Barriers to counseling, continued Comprehension difficulties Lack of confidence Poor physician - pharmacist relationship Poor communication skills

Types of Barriers Practical Patient Pharmacist

Availability Visibility of RPh Organization of the pharmacy Use of technicians Computer arrangements Access to Counseling areas Managing time, making appointments Promotion of RPh’s role and community activities

Atmosphere Provide a private patient counseling area Provide a semiprivate patient counseling area Use nonverbal language to create a sense of personal conversation Improve general atmosphere

Approach Use an organized approach and protocol Tailor counseling Adopt a helping approach Develop good communication skills Use appropriate educational methods and counseling aids

Attitude Attend to nonverbal messages Be assertive Be persuasive Be confident Be a life-long learner Take advantage of new technologies