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HEALTH NUTRITION
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medication perspective [that you need], I’d be delighted to be of assistance. Similarly, I’m confident that I can start sending people to you if they have issues around their food choices, particularly in relation to their chronic disease management’.”
Mr Quigley continued with an anecdote about how he and his wife
(a now retired pharmacist) formed professional networks and partnerships.
“Whenever we moved into an area and bought a pharmacy, we made a point of initially visiting every single health practitioner – GPs, naturopaths, dietitians, massage therapists – everybody who had anything to do with health in that area, reassuring them that we were on their side,” he said.
What’s involved, Mr Quigley adds, is “different professions working together and cooperating. It’s about mutual respect and trust”.
Ms Edge and Ms Johnson both
agree with the proactive approach – highlighting the importance of knowing one’s local area and what health professionals are around and available to take referrals.
It’s a good idea also to think outside the box and consider the online space, as, according to Ms Johnson, “there are a lot of online-based dietitians these days that clients can talk to and access very easily”.
“To refer to a dietitian, they need to know either who’s in their local area or who’s available online ... [along with] being aware of who practises what,
so if it’s a specific condition or if it’s an
athlete or active person, referring to a sports dietitian, but if they’re trying to manage [a] chronic disease, referring to a specialist dietitian in that area is very helpful,” she said.
Another option Ms Johnson suggests is visiting the sites of professional bodies, such as the DAA or Sports Dietitians Australia, and “looking on there for accredited practising dietitians [and accredited sports dietitians] who have that particular experience and have done the training to work one on one with clients”.
As for referral pathways, Ms Edge suggests these can be “very fluid”.
“There are different options,” she said. “It can be [over] the phone or [via] email. Or it can be more official than that, but really if you can find a way to refer [do so].”
She adds that a further option is simply giving the customer the contact details of a trusted dietitian, or if the customer will benefit from an Enhanced Primary Care Plan, advising them to see their
GP for a referral.
Considering an in-house dietitian
When it comes to employing an in- house dietitian, all professionals agree that such a move comes down to professional respect.
“I’ve been around long enough to see benefits, and to see very disillusioned ... dietitians who aren’t given the respect within the stores that I believe they should be given,” Mr Quigley said.
“It’s almost like getting married again. You’re working with someone within your practice who’s probably better
skilled and has better abilities in certain aspects of professional practice than you, and ... they [may] give different advice on particular supplements ... The pharmacist must [be] prepared to step back a little if they’re paying that person to give advice.
“They’ve got to be given the respect, the space and ... the pharmacist
has to understand that the [health professional] isn’t there necessarily
... to just sell. They’re there to be consulted, and that’s different.
Ms Edge agreed.
“That on-sell can be a pressure point,” she said. “As long as there are really nice ethics around that situation and around that partnership ... [an in-house dietitian] does make sense.
“It’s a really good model and ... probably similar to that of a GP clinic or physio clinic having the dietitian within that setting, and really does aim towards that full care, really,
in every facet.”
Attheendoftheday...
Mr Quigley calls for putting an end
to professional silos, instead working collaboratively for the advancement of customer outcomes.
“The interprofessional partnership in the management of chronic disease [and other health concerns] is fundamental,” he said. “It’s not only important, but fundamental.”
References:
1. McClinchy J, et al. ‘Dietary advice and collaborative working: do pharmacists and allied health professionals other than dietitians have a role?’ Healthcare, 2015; 3: 64-77; doi: 10.3390/ healthcare3010064
RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2020