E-drug: Pharmacy drivers/counselling etc (cont)
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I concur with all that Rina Meyer's comments with regard to the use of
drivers to counsel patients. In South Africa we have the inherent problem
of lack of education at the basic level in our society. We all know that
this
was born of the apartheid era (no excuses here), and although the
government is actively trying to address this situation, benefits will be a
long time coming.
What this means is that many people employed as drivers in the retail
pharmacy sector have only a basic literacy level (certainly I would think
that less than 50% of them have a matric level education, although I have
not done a survey). While you could train them to impart some very basic
information, and perhaps to recognise some problems with the patients they
see, there can be no substitute for the pharmacist's active role in these
areas. Where does the responsibility lie? Who is accountable? Obviously the
pharmacist would be, and this could potentially raise some legal issues
should a patient's problem be "missed" be the driver. Are we going to train
drivers up to the level of pharmacy assistants, and make them pass
examinations first?
I don't think that in the foreseeable future there are enough drivers with
the required level of education to make a real difference. Pharmacists
should therefore not be shifting the burden of patient care onto others, but
should actively educate THEMSELVES to do their jobs better, as Rina says.
I am one of those who is not particularly Internet literate (a failing of
which I am ashamed!). I was particularly interested in Rina's point
regarding postgraduate education through the Internet. I would really like
to hear more about this, and what courses are currently offered, or are
being planned, both locally an internationally.
Regards
Audrey Robinson
Pharmacist: Qualsa Health Care (Pty) Ltd
Audrey Robinson <AudreyR@qualsa.co.za>
[Please include your phyical address. BS, co-moderator]
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