The NY Times recently wrote about pharmacists expanding roles on the health care team. This is one example of a concept who's time has come that has the potential to make a significant positive impact on health care outcomes. Conceptually, this makes sense since as we all know, health care doesn't just take place in hospitals or in private offices. Patients are constantly making choices about their health in their everyday actions such as choosing what and when to eat. Pharmacies are located in the communities where people live and work and having access to a health care coach or guide in the form of a pharmacist (or other professional) gives people the opportunity to discuss their options and perhaps make better every day health decisions. Community health nurses have long known this as they visit patients in their homes and assess their living environment and offer recommendations that could eliminate safety hazards for partially paralyzed patients following a stroke for ex...
This is my blog that will highlight current issues, trends and policies affecting Nurse Practitioners and the health care system today.