Pharmacy Communications
LECTURE OUTLINE for LECTURES 1 Through 12

Lectures 1- 2: Course Introduction and Basic Counseling and Communication Skills

Handouts & lecture aids: Top 10 Communication Mistakes Pharmacists Make, some practical communication skills for pharmacists, the Asheville Project article from the Washington Post, barriers to communication, and the OBRA 90 article and handout on OBRA 90 .

Review the Lecture Notes: basic communication skills slide show

Reading Assignment: Chapters 1-5 in the course textbook.

Homework assignment:

Option 1: It is essential that you have given thought to the practice of pharmacy care. Please respond to the following questions in essay format. You can use whatever sources you feel are appropriate including your experience, the internet, colleagues, etc.

Why has pharmacy care (a.k.a., pharmaceutical care) not evolved as quickly as the profession of pharmacy had hoped?

What does it mean that there is a need for pharmaceutical care, but not a demand?

What can you do right now to create a demand for pharmacy care services?

Option 2: Take the "Short Communications Skills Test" and write a short assessment of how well this test has gauged your communication skills. Then, complete the exercise "Criticize or Communicate". I will be expecting a thorough analysis of both of these exercises! This option takes several days to complete, so, don't wait till the last minute!

Lecture 3: Basic Communication Skills: Nonverbal Communication

We will have a writing assignment in class today (Tuesday September 30th)

Review the Lecture Notes: basic communication skills slide show

Tonya Reiman YouTube video on "The Power of Body Language"

More Tonya Reiman video: Rivera, Nifong, Understanding Body Language

Hillary Clinton gets a thumbs up for body language

How to spot a liar part 1 and part 2

Clinton meets O'reilly

For your own review: Tonya Reiman 11 minute primer (audio is poor so we won't listen in class)

Lectures 4-5: Interactive Patient Counseling (The Prime Questions)

Review and discuss homework from Lecture 2 (nontraditional class meeting)

Review Interactive patient counseling through the prime questions handout

Lecture notes / outline for class today (or download here)

Review the outline of things to think about in a patient encounter and legal issues

Reading Assignment: Course text Chapter 7 "Interviewing and Assessment"

Writing Assignment Number 1: Questions and suggested topic areas for written answers

Lectures 6-7: Clinical Application of Counseling with the Prime Questions

Review the patient case study on hypertension

Review the Patient Counseling Evaluation Form

Triads:
Select 2 partners, (these groups will be called triads) and practice counseling using the prime questions. Use these sample patient profiles and prescriptions for practice counseling:

Prescriptions from 3100 Lab
Prozac and Amoxil
Valium and Lortab
Lo-Ovral and Motrin

Lectures 8, 9, 10: Counseling Patients in Challenging Situations

Reading: Course Text chapter 10 and review the PAR Technique handout

Opening Discussion on Patients who may be challenging.

Homework: Patient education writing exercise

Case Studies

Lecture 11: Counseling to enhance Medication Compliance

    Read in the course text, chapters 8 and 9

    Read the article on Pharmacy Care and Medication Compliance

    View or download the lecture on Medication Compliance

    Review the notes for medication compliance and the "RIM" technique

    Review the notes on Strategies to Enhance Medication Adherence

Lecture 12: Midterm Exam (during class period October 30th 2008)

The midterm provides a series of scenarios that will challenge you to figure out how to assess and/ or respond to patients in a real life format. You will asked to provide a description of how you take "good care" of each patient presented. There are 8 questions ranging in value from 5 to 20 points each each. Make sure you have read and understand chapter 9 in the text since at least 1 important question will focus on this chapter.