with a new year upon us, many are taking time to reflect on the year that’s been. what were the significant moments or new opportunities? for pharmacists in ontario, this moment of reflection has a new layer, as we took on more responsibility and, hopefully, made a greater impact on patients’ lives.
as our healthcare system continues to struggle with an unprecedented staffing crisis, ontarians have had a new way to receive timely access to care: their neighbourhood pharmacist. pharmacists are one of the most accessible patient touchpoints in our healthcare system, with most ontarians living within five kilometres of a pharmacy.
often open later than physicians’ offices and on weekends, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to provide care for minor ailments, helping to alleviate some of the pressure on our overburdened healthcare facilities – and we’re seeing patients embrace this option. within the first six months, the ontario pharmacists association reported that almost a quarter million people had received treatment for a minor ailment through pharmacies.
as more patients seek care through their local pharmacies, it’s important that we implement the right tools to support pharmacists’ workloads. tools that streamline communication among health care practitioners and ensure patients continue to receive cohesive care, and that help pharmacists manage their administrative load, so they have more time for direct patient care.