I read this editorial, which questions whether pharmacists can reduce GP workload.1 I find this question very peculiar, because I do not believe that is the main reason why a pharmacist is needed. I wonder whether this is another example on how the role of pharmacists is misunderstood?2
I would like to help GPs to have a realistic expectation of having pharmacists in their practice. It is true that pharmacists can facilitate communication with the dispensary pharmacy, and help chronic medication management and medication reconciliation,3 all of which minimise interruptions in GP workflow. However, it does not always equate to reduced workload. Usually after a medication review, a responsible pharmacist would identify some drug-therapy problems, and share the monitoring plan with the team. Some of these problems may require doctors’ inputs, which can arguably create more work.
I am disappointed if GPs’ main expectation is to have pharmacists reducing their workload. This sort of thinking would limit pharmacists’ input in patient care for the sake of saving time and reducing work. During our busy work days, I have seen some of my medical colleagues feeling annoyed by pharmacists’ interruptions. I would like to gently suggest to these doctors to have a more patient-centred approach in their practice. Similar to many healthcare professionals, pharmacists’ main duty is to improve patients’ quality of care. Their presence supplements the 10-minute GP consultations, which do not always resolve all issues.4 It allows drug-related issues to be delegated to a qualified professional and helps management plans to be followed. If our main goal is only to reduce workload, hiring an assistant may be a better economical option.
To conclude, I would like to borrow a quote from Steve Jobs: ‘It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.’
Notes
Competing interests
Eugene YH Yeung has received salaries from working as a medical doctor and pharmacist, but neither has paid him to write this letter.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2017