World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

PATIENT COUNSELLING: NEED OF HOUR AND EMERGING TREND

Dol Hemalata*, Shinde Vikram, Sangita Shelar and Dipali Uthale

ABSTRACT

The goals of therapy will not be achieved unless patient understands and follows the instructions for the use of prescribed drugs. The efforts and expenses are wasted if patient fails to take recommended treatment. The pharmacist is the logical health professional to presume major responsibility in minimizing noncompliance. Priority importance is the need to strengthen communication within patient, physician and pharmacist. Counselling is part of clinical pharmacy practice to give maximum benefits to patient. Counselling involves giving advice and making certain that advice understood by patient. Pharmacist is the person who dispense actual drug to patient and of great help in improving compliance. Patient counselling is providing medication information to the patients on directions of use, side effects, precautions, storage, diet and life style modifications. Pharmacist can also ask and understand difficulties of patient and consequently counsel them. With the aid of various techniques of communication as verbal, written or audio-visual pharmacist can inform, educate and counsel patient. The article highlights current scenario, objective, need and guidelines to patient counselling, pharmacist role and barriers to work as health care professional. Counselling ensures patient compliance can reduce non-compliance and satisfies today’s need ensuring patient safety.

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