The Importance of Inter-professional Collaboration in Pharmacy

In the world of healthcare, amidst the rushing stethoscopes and blur of white coats, every prescription holds a promise of healing and relief. Yet, behind the counter stands a silent force often overlooked—the pharmacist. Their true power lies not only in dispensing medication but in the symphony of collaboration with the healthcare team. From nurses to physicians, pharmacists are essential hands in curing and healing patients in a safe manner. Imagine a healthcare system where every member of the team harmonizes their skills and compassion, from basic care to complex procedures, ensuring that every pill taken contributes to the orchestrated healing of humanity. In this symphony of care, patient safety is the guiding principle, weaving through every interaction and decision, ensuring that each step taken is not just a step forward, but a step towards safer, more professional healthcare at every level.

Inter-professional collaboration is of prime importance for ensuring patient safety in hospitals, homes, and every other healthcare setting they may be in. Beginning with nurses, who serve as the first point of contact for hospitalized patients, collecting vital patient data and passing it along to physicians for accurate diagnosis and treatment. From there, pharmacists step in, carefully dispensing medications while considering individual patient histories and personalized data, ensuring that any errors are identified and discussed with the healthcare team. This collaborative approach forms the backbone of effective patient care, providing a consistent process for handling each patient case. So by sharing expertise and resources, inter-professional teams can simplify processes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve overall efficiency in healthcare delivery.

Also, the pharmacist serves as a vital link between the healthcare system and the community, often being the first or second point of contact for patients. Their role extends beyond dispensing medications; they play a critical role in safeguarding public health by ensuring patient adherence and compliance, especially for those with chronic conditions. By working collaboratively with physicians, pharmacists contribute to the optimal management of patients' health, striving to prevent complications and improve outcomes.

In particular, for individuals with chronic conditions, the pharmacist's role is indispensable in achieving stabilization and preventing adverse outcomes. They must possess the knowledge and insight to recognize when a patient's needs surpass their scope of practice, promptly referring them to a physician for further evaluation and intervention. So, pharmacists working closely with other healthcare providers can help prevent medication errors, improve adherence, and minimize adverse drug reactions through effective communication and coordination.

Although the importance of such collaboration is crucial for patient care in healthcare settings, several barriers obstruct this purpose. A Research titled “An Overview of Reviews on Inter-professional Collaboration in Primary Care: barriers and facilitators” published in the International Journal of Integrated Care, identified that the main barriers were lack of time and training, lack of clear roles, fears relating to professional identity, and poor communication.

Starting with the time and training issue can be visualized in the following scenes: A physician, pressed on time, prescribing medication quickly without consulting a pharmacist. Meanwhile a nurse fully occupied with a patient other than the one who’s case is being discussed at a scheduled time with the other healthcare team. Similarly, a pharmacist overwhelmed by the workload that he’s unable to discuss a potential drug interaction with the team members. Such problems can be minimized by setting a protected time for rounds and discussions and might be facilitated by electronic records and communication apps for quick and efficient information sharing. Regarding the importance of training, it provides opportunities for teamwork spirit implementation and for communication skills development.

Lack of clear roles is a significant threat to patient health and safety. As highlighted in the article “Inter-professional Collaboration in Health Care” published in the Canadian Pharmacists Journal, “If a hockey team is composed of only goal scorers, the other aspects of the game will be ignored and the team will have weaknesses.” Similarly, in healthcare, every team member must understand and fulfill their specific role. For instance, if an ED nurse encounters a patient having a heart attack, their primary responsibility should be to immediately call a doctor for examination, rather than attempting resuscitation alone. Clear role definition ensures that responsibilities are properly managed, tasks are recorded, and patient care is optimized. This issue can be resolved with clear job descriptions for everyone from nurses to physicians, detailing their specific responsibilities. Implementing training programs can further reinforce these roles. Additionally, having a role leader in each department is crucial to ensure role clarity and address any issues that arise.

Now psychologically wise, whenever there is a human there are reflective and reactive behaviors. We all might fall between the thin line of being confident or egoistic. Psychologists differentiate between the two: confidence is something important for self-growth as it involves having faith in our own ability and believing in ourselves. It is considered a key component of the emotional intelligence. Unlike ego that is driven by self-interest and the need for external approval at all costs to be seen as ‘right’. And as we always say, “ego is the enemy”. We also fall prey to biases regarding our knowledge, as illustrated by the Dunning-Kurger effect. This effect occurs when people with limited competencies in a certain domain overestimate their abilities. In the context of healthcare, this can lead individuals to step into someone else’s professional role, causing significant challenges in maintaining a healthy collaboration. Here’s a common example of ego issues between physicians and pharmacists: a physician might dismiss a pharmacist’s recommendation about a potential side effect, believing their own judgment is superior. This attitude can threaten patient safety. Conversely, pharmacists may overestimate their knowledge and modify a medication regimen without consulting the physician. Addressing these cognitive and behavioral issues in the healthcare system is crucial for patient safety.

To resolve these issues, we should promote a culture of mutual respect and understanding. Emphasizing the idea of “it’s not about you” and “there is no 'I' in team” is essential. Regular team-building exercises can help create a less stressful work environment and reduce personal conflicts and tensions. Additionally, fostering a mindset of continuous learning and openness to others' input can create a humble and collaborative atmosphere. An example of the importance of setting ego aside is mentioned in the article “What Working in Crisis Mode Teaches Us about Collaboration and Impact” written by Gabriel Fitzgerald in “Stanford Social Innovation Review” that during the pandemic, setting aside ego allowed the Pandemic Action Network to collaborate effectively both within and outside the group. In response to the surge of COVID-19 cases in late summer 2020, they launched World Mask Week. This campaign unified public and private partners to promote mask-wearing. The network provided a toolkit, but partners used their own messaging to spread awareness. Success wasn’t measured by individual campaign recognition but by global reach: billions of people learned that wearing a mask was crucial for protection. If they had focused on individual campaigns, they wouldn’t have achieved this impact.

Ultimately, ego can quietly undermine our efforts. We must remain vigilant to prevent it from disrupting our collaborations. By focusing on our shared mission of patient health and safety and consistently working together, we can achieve greater success and make significant progress in our field.

In conclusion, inter-professional collaboration in pharmacy is crucial for ensuring patient safety and delivering high-quality care. The synergy between pharmacists, nurses, and physicians forms the backbone of effective healthcare, where each professional's expertise contributes to the collective goal of patient well-being. Addressing barriers like time constraints, unclear roles, and ego-driven behaviors is essential. By promoting mutual respect, continuous learning, and clear role definitions, we can foster a collaborative environment. Remember, healthcare is a team effort, and by working together harmoniously, we can make significant strides in improving patient outcomes. Our shared mission is clear: to provide the best possible care, ensuring that every step taken is towards a safer, more effective healthcare system.

Article by:

Mariam El sahily - LIU-IVPN Student Club , Scientific writer