Definition of Patient Counseling: Patient counseling refers to the process of providing information, advice, and assistance to help patients use their medications appropriately. According to USP, medication counseling is an approach that focuses on enhancing the problem-solving skills of the patients to improve or maintain their quality of health and quality of life.
The information is usually given verbally but may be
supplemented with written materials.
During counseling, the pharmacist should assess the patient’s understanding
of his or her illness and treatment, and effectively provide individualized
advice. To provide accurate advice and information, the pharmacist should be
familiar with the Pathophysiology and therapeutics of the patient’s disease.
Objectives of Patient Counseling
Good communication skills are needed to gain the
patient's confidence and to help motivate the patient to adhere to the
recommended regimen. Effective patient counseling aims to produce the following
results:
1. A Better patient
understanding of their illness and the role of medication in its
treatment.
2. Improve medication
adherence.
3. More effective drug treatment.
4. Reduced incidence of
adverse effects and unnecessary health care costs.
5. Improved quality of life
for the patient.
6. Better handling
strategies to deal with medication-related adverse effects.
7. Improved professional
rapport between the patient and the pharmacist.