[e-drug] pharmacist v/s physician? (cont'd)

["Lisa DeVos" <ldevos@shaw.ca>]

E-DRUG: pharmacist v/s physician? (cont'd)
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Dear colleagues;

I too have hesitated to participate in this discussion, but I feel now I
must interject.  I believe emotions should be left out of this discussion in
favour of a more rationale approach.  Healthcare systems around the globe
are being stretched beyond capacity.  In many cases, this is due to growing
and aging populations and various other factors.  In light of this
situation, would it not be advisable for health professionals to set aside
"turf protection" which accomplishes very little, and focus on the greater
task at hand: maximizing the use of our precious health resources, both
human and financial, for the most effective, efficient use with the goal of
improving patient outcomes? 

It is true that drug therapy is only one of the options for treatment at the
physician's disposal (also at the pharmacist's disposal if you think about
it). So why are physicians so reluctant to share decision-making with
respect to drug therapy?  It is not inconceivable to believe that
pharmacists and physicians could work together in an equal partnership in
order to facilitate optimal drug therapy and optimal patient management. 

I am not sure I agree with the statement that pharmacists are rarely
confronted with very ill patients -and I am certain that my institutionally
based colleagues would also disagree. However, perhaps if we allow a broader
scope to pharmacists in primary care areas where pharmacist care has proven
to improve patient outcomes (dyslipidemia, diabetes, asthma,
gastrointestinal disorders, smoking cessation among others), physicians
would free up some of their precious time to devote to the management of
these very sick patients.  And even with these patients, it may be possible
that physicians and patients will see benefit from the contributions of
pharmacists (the drug therapy experts).

I think it is foolhardy for health professionals to participate in this
discussion as enemies in a "battle raging".  Perhaps it is time that we set
aside our weapons and focus on more important issues.

Sincerely; 

Lisa DeVos
BScPharm, CAE
Alberta, Canada
ldevos@shaw.ca