This document discusses patient counseling by pharmacists. It defines patient counseling as providing medication information orally or in writing to patients regarding proper use, side effects, precautions, and lifestyle modifications. The objectives of patient counseling are to improve patient understanding and compliance. There are four stages of patient counseling: introduction, discussing content, addressing patient issues, and conclusion. Pharmacists should prepare, open and close counseling sessions properly while discussing medication name, use, benefits, side effects and patient questions to effectively educate patients.

1. PATIENT
COUNSELLIN
G
By
Harshita Jain
Career point School of pharmacy,
Career Point University, Kota

2. CONTENTS
 Definition
 Objectives
 Stages of Patient Counseling
 Steps of Patient Counseling
 Role of Pharmacist in Patient counseling

3. DEFINITION
Patient counseling is defined as providing
medication information orally or in written form
to the patients or their representatives on
directions of use, advice on side effects,
precautions, storage, diet and life style
modifications.

4. OBJECTIVES
 Patient recognize the importance of medication.
 A continuous interaction and consultation.
 Patient's understanding to deal with medication side effects
and drug interactions.
 Ensure better patient compliance.
 Patient becomes an informed, efficient and active
participant in disease treatment and management.
 Pharmacist perception.
 Drug interactions and adverse drug reactions.

5. STAGES OF PATIENT
COUNSELING
There are four stages of patient counseling
1. Introduction
2. Process content
3. Issue regarding matter
4. Conclusion

6. 1. INTRODUCTION
Review the patient's record.
Introduce your self.
Explain purpose of counseling.
 Obtain information such as allergies, use of herbals etc.
Assess the patients understanding of therapy.
 Assess any actual and / or potential concerns or
problems of importance to the patient.

7. 2. PROCESS CONTENTS
The medicine's generic and brand name.
How it helps the patient?
How it makes him/her feel?
How long it takes to begin working?
How much quantity to take?
How often to take?
How long it will be necessary to take?
When to take it?
How to take it?
What to do in case of missed dose?
Precautions while taking the medicines.

8. PROCESS CONTENTS………..
 Restrictions on activities while using
Possible side effects. What to do if they appear.
When to seek help?
 How long to wait before reporting no change in
symptoms?
Storage conditions.
Expiry date.
Cost of the medicine
How to have your prescription refilled?
Necessity to complete the course.
Drug-Drug, Drug-Food interactions.
Supply medication reminder chart.

9. 3. ISSUES REGARDING MANNER
Use language that the patient understands
 Use appropriate counseling aids
 Present facts and concepts in simple words and
in logical order
Use open ended questions.

10. 4. CONCLUSION
 Verify the patient's understanding by means of
feedback
 Summarize by emphasizing key points
 Give an opportunity to the patient to put
forward any concerns.
 Help the patient to plain follow-up

11. STEPS OF PATIENT
COUNSELING
Following are the steps to be followed during
patient counseling:
 Preparing for the session.
 Opening of the session.
 Counseling content.
 Closing the session.

12. 1. PREPARING FOR THE SESSION
 Counseling develop upon the knowledge and skills
of the counselor.
 Pharmacist should know as much possible about the
patient treatment details.
 In community pharmacy the source of information
include patient and prescription or a record of
previous dispensing.
 If the pharmacist is unfamiliar about drug which is
received from the patient ,go for drug information
reference.
 Before counseling ,you have to consider about
mental physical status.

13. 2. OPENING FOR THE SESSION
 The pharmacist should introduce
himself/herself to the patient and treat them
by name.
 It is best to use title such as Mr, Mrs,Miss. Eg-
hello Mr. any name , My name is x and I am
your clinical pharmacist.
 I would like to tell about the medication.
 Do you have a few minutes to spend with me.
 Pharmacist gather information from the
patient disease, medication.

14. Continued……
 Other information may relevant include
previous drug allergies, past medication
history, personal habit such as diet, smoking,
alcohol consumption etc.
 Use open ended question, such as ‘what did your
doctor tell you about your illness?’ what do you
know about your disease, can you tell me about
the symptoms, Etc.
 During counseling ,the pharmacist should
avoid asking question directly in embarrassing
way .

15. 3. COUNSELING CONTENT
 Name and strength of medication.
 The reason why it has been prescribed, or how it work.
 How to take the medication.
 Expected duration of treatment.
 Expected benefit of treatment.
 Possible adverse effect.
 Possible medication or dietary interaction.
 Storage recommendation.
 Minimum duration required to show therapeutic
benefit.

16. 4. CLOSING THE SESSION
 Before closing the session, it is essential to
check patient understanding.
 This can be achieved by feedback question, such
as can you remember what is this medication is
for?
 Or how long should you take this medication?
 Ask the patient about any doubt.
 Before final closure and if time permits, summarize
the main point in logical order.

17. ROLE OF PHARMACIST
 Knowledge and skills to provide effective and
accurate patient education and counseling.
 Should be aware of patients ethnicity and health
conditions.
 Should have active communication skills, listening
skills as well.
 Seek ways to motivate patients

18. THANKS