Subscribe to FeedAshworth Pharmacy Tech Instructor Stresses The Importance Of Human Relations In The Pharmacy…
In my opinion, the ability to maintain positive “human relations” is one of the most important aspects of modern pharmacy. We are fortunate that the public has always viewed pharmacy as an honorable profession. I believe we owe this to our ability to serve our customers well, acting always in their best interests. For one thing, we are much more accessible to the public than any other healthcare professionals. Therefore, patients trust us with their health concerns and feel comfortable confiding even embarrassing problems with us. If we maintain a professional attitude and treat our customers with respect, they’ll return and tell us even more about their conditions, which will help the supervising pharmacist advise them and, in some cases, provide vital information to the attending doctors.
While working in retail, I had many opportunities to practice my interpersonal skills. Remember, when patients come to you, they may already be sick and may have spent time at a doctor’s office that day. By the time they get to the pharmacy, they may have run out of patience. I’ve found that greeting patients with a smile and a pleasant manner puts them at ease. They don’t mind waiting for a prescription if they feel you are taking good care of them. Be sure to explain what information you need from them to make the process go more quickly and why you need it. If there’s a delay or if it takes longer than normal to prepare the prescription, give them updates. For example, you may have to wait for insurance approval, or a suspension might need time to dissolve. Information lets customers feel they are part of the process. When they understand what is going on, they usually remain calm.
Tina Boyd Stacy
Pharmacy Technology Instructor
Ashworth University
