Student Pharmacists Are Promoting Patient Advocacy From Classroom to Counter

Introduction

What can a student pharmacist do if they know that a patient’s health is declining, not because of a lack of effective treatments, but simply because the patient is not able to get their medications? Student pharmacists often think patient advocacy starts after graduation; however, it begins in pharmacy school, with student pharmacists leading the way.

The term patient advocacy often prompts individuals to think about counseling patients or providing basic health care services. Although that does encompass patient advocacy, it also goes beyond these basic tasks. Patient advocacy also involves supporting patients’ access to the treatments or therapies needed to manage their conditions, connecting patients with necessary resources, and finding cost-effective alternatives that patients can afford.

Building Trust and Rapport

To begin the journey as student pharmacist patient advocates, student pharmacists must meet the patients where they are in the community to build trust and develop rapport. This can be done in various ways, including conducting health fairs, providing wellness screenings, or participating in other community outreach events.

Once members of the community understand that they can trust, depend on, and have access to their student pharmacists, the community will begin to lean on the student pharmacists and ask for assistance with their health care needs. Although student pharmacists may not be licensed pharmacists, there are still many things that can be done to advocate for patients under a licensed pharmacist’s supervision, such as education, resource connection, and effective communication.

Medication Affordability: A Barrier to Optimal Care

Medication affordability is a rising issue, and one of the top reasons why patients either stop taking or do not begin taking prescribed medications.¹ Student pharmacists can combat cost-related medication nonadherence by researching cost-effective alternatives and educating patients on available alternatives and how to bring this information to their health care provider. They can also connect patients with discount programs and/or manufacturer coupons that may make medications more affordable.

Student pharmacists can advocate for patients within the pharmacy setting, but also at the policy level. By supporting legislation that improves medication access and affordability, student pharmacists can advocate for patients and create policies that benefit the population's overall health and well-being. Student involvement in organizations—such as the American Pharmacists Association or the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists—gives student pharmacists a platform to voice their concerns about patient access to medications and quality of care. By doing so, student pharmacists can raise awareness and promote change through strong unity and influence.

By researching cost-effective methods for patients at pharmacies and supporting policies that improve patient outcomes, student pharmacists advocate for affordable access to care and medications while demonstrating that patients’ overall health and wellness are the focus.

Patient Engagement and Education

Student pharmacists can also advocate for patients by providing the necessary information to help them make informed decisions about their health and medications.

Patient engagement involves educating patients about their health conditions, the medications needed to manage them, and lifestyle modifications to improve their overall health. Educating patients can be done in various ways. Typically, the first option is face-to-face counseling at the pharmacy counter. Although this is often a primary method of patient education, it is not the only method available.

Student pharmacists can also promote community health and wellness by hosting booths at local events. A potential example could include a “brown bag consultation” booth set up at local markets or events, where student pharmacists can educate patients regarding their medications and provide aids, such as brochures, handouts, calendars, and/or pill boxes to improve health literacy and medication adherence.

A key aspect of patient education is knowing the audience and their health literacy level. It is important to avoid medical jargon and speak in patient-friendly language so they can understand the information being conveyed. Typically, a fourth-grade level of health literacy should be assumed when counseling a patient, unless otherwise noted.

To pique the interest of younger patients, student pharmacists can lean into social media for patient education.² For example, student pharmacists can create a pharmacy education-based video series on a social media platform to address medication myths and misinformation that may be out there. Several social media influencers are gaining popularity by providing this kind of content. By educating patients about their conditions, medications, and other health-centered topics, student pharmacists are providing patients with the ability to advocate for themselves in situations where nobody else may be able to.

Compassion and Empathy in Pharmacy Practice

Pharmacists are often considered among the most accessible health care professionals due to their unique position within the community.³ For this reason, patients may consider pharmacists for medical questions or information before reaching out to a physician or other health care provider. Given this, pharmacists and student pharmacists must possess compassion, empathy, and active listening skills to provide optimal patient care. Often, patients simply need someone who will listen to their experiences and offer a supportive shoulder to lean on. Pharmacists and student pharmacists can be that person by listening to patients’ concerns, empathizing with their situations, and connecting them with appropriate resources to help them move forward.

Conclusion

Student pharmacists are in a unique position: They are not quite pharmacists, yet are progressively learning the knowledge pharmacists possess.

Student pharmacists can also participate in many independent, patient-centered tasks under a pharmacist’s supervision. Student pharmacists are actively developing their understanding of health literacy, medication access barriers, and drug information skills to enhance their ability to advocate for effective patient health management. They compile information from didactic classes, experiential rotations, and community service events to prepare themselves to apply that knowledge in real-world situations.

By upholding the principles of their oath, student pharmacists remain committed to patient advocacy by promoting medication affordability, enhancing patient education, and serving as compassionate listeners in the health care community.

REFERENCES

1. Dusetzina SB, Besaw RJ, Whitmore CC, et al. Cost-related medication nonadherence and desire for medication cost information among adults aged 65 years and older in the US in 2022. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(5):e2314211. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.14211

2. Chirumamilla S, Gulati M. Patient education and engagement through social media. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2021;17(2):137-143. doi:10.2174/1573403X15666191120115107

3. Valliant SN, Burbage SC, Pathak S, Urick BY. Pharmacists as accessible health care providers: quantifying the opportunity. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2022;28(1):85-90. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.1.85