Page 45 - Demo

going to get it perfect first time and you’re going to forget.” To be effective when advising patients on device technique, it’s important not to simply ask if they are using their device correctly, because they’re going to reply, ‘Yes, I think I am’. Instead, Ms Goldman suggests you ask: ‘Would you mind showing me how you use this device?’ There’s a wealth of resources for those wanting to learn and keep current on asthma topics, with device technique videos available at: asthma.org.au/ about-asthma/medicines-and-devices/ techniques/. Telling it like it is Pharmacist Mark Leighton, co-owner of Lanyon Pharmacy in the ACT, was working when the bushfires came within striking distance of his pharmacy. While the fire retreated, the air quality stayed beyond the hazardous level. Retail Pharmacy Assistants asked what patient health issues he was seeing eight months after those events. “I’ve noticed people are taking their respiratory health more seriously now,” Mr Leighton said. “The conversations I’ve had in the months since the fires have been a lot more positive. People are more open, receptive and willing to actually talk about their respiratory condition. Whether it’s something severe or very mild asthma, it’s being taken seriously now. “We saw the milder category of patients, who normally manage themselves, coming in a bit more frequently during the peak fire period and throughout the smoke pollution. “Then we noticed the middle group, who aren’t the really severe ones and who typically aren’t the most compliant, begin to take it more seriously. They started coming in just to make sure they were compliant with their medications, sometimes asking about technique, too.” Based on his experiences, we asked Mr Leighton what advice he’d now offer to other pharmacists. “Never underestimate the importance of opening a conversation with the patient and asking plenty of questions RESPIRATORY HEALTH 43 to understand and get as much information as you can,” he said. “That way you’ll find those trigger points where you can confidently either say, ‘OK, that’s probably something for which we need to refer you’, or where you decide it’s something you can do at the community pharmacy level, such as improving their device technique or assisting with their medicines compliance which should both improve overall outcomes.” Final thoughts The consistent advice coming from respiratory health experts is around awareness, preparation, use of both preventive and reliever medication, and technique. To understand your patient’s situation across these factors requires effective dialogue, questions and sometimes demonstration. As pharmacy assistants, you are well placed to initiate and guide these important conversations. By sharing the advice of the experts, you could even make your patient’s summer memorable for all the right reasons. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • AUG 2020