Solutions

Inter-professional Communication

Pharmacists and physicians in the community setting have historically communicated mostly for the purpose of taking verbal prescriptions over the phone, clarifying prescription details, or following up on concerns of patients.  In the current transition to a model of primary health care which is based around team-based care and increased scope of practice for pharmacists, there is an expectation that the quantity and quality of inter-professional communication and collaboration between pharmacists and physicians should adapt accordingly.

There are many factors which can pose either barriers or facilitators to effective inter-professional communication and collaboration between pharmacists and physicians.  In the current environment of community pharmacy practice, a major barrier to the relationship required for effective communication includes the lack of face-to-face interaction with local physicians.  A program which begins with an invitation by pharmacists to local physicians for personal discussion of topics of mutual interest can open the door to development of interpersonal and professional relationships that are required for effective communication and collaboration. 

This continuing education lesson has been designed to help you better understand the factors that lead to effective collaboration between pharmacists and physicians.  The education also suggests ten tips for effectively communicating with physicians when speaking one-on-one or in small groups.  You may find some of these tips to be of use for communication within your personal life circumstances as well.