We’re going to help you determine the answers to these questions for your Pharmacy.  It’s important to note that the answers to these questions aren’t the same for everyone.  You may see the need to utilize a couple different platforms, while in some instances there may not be enough of an audience to utilize either.  We’re here to point you in the right direction.

Here are a few things that you need to think about before you jump into any social media platform:

• Identify your audience – You know best who your customers are.  Determining your target audience, whether it’s existing patients, new patients or both, helps you mold your message.
• Establish your message – What matters to your customers and how can you address their needs?
• Set goals – Why are you using social media? What do you want to get out of it? How will this help your business?
• What will you offer – How can you help your audience? What content will you provide?
• Schedule your social media time, and remain consistent.
• Don’t rely entirely on automation – Using some automation is fine, but it is important to engage your audience. Ask and answer questions.
• Round up reliable resources – You don’t have to create original content every time you make a post; as long as your information is relevant to your audience, it is useful.
• And the bottom line is just to be yourself. People want authentic relationships, and what better way to serve your community than to be a reliable resource for healthcare information?

Social Media is a powerful tool in today’s marketing landscape that you can use to help make an impact in your community.

 ACO’s essentially hold the healthcare system ‘accountable’ in several ways.  One such way is by encouraging discharge planning and continuity of care upon discharge by reducing (or even eliminating) payments if the patient is readmitted to the hospital for the same condition in a relatively few amount of days.  Therefore, an incredible amount of focus is being placed on improving the process by which patients are sent home from the hospital.  As a pharmacist myself, I see the inherent issues that arise from the current process of patient discharge from the hospital.

Here’s the typical scenario:

A patient is admitted to the hospital, upon which a staff member asks the patient which medications they are taking.  The patient is then switched to medication alternatives, which are on the hospital formulary.  Upon discharge, the patient brings new prescriptions to the retail pharmacy, where the pharmacist discovers the formulary medications prescribed in the hospital are not covered under the patient’s plan.  Therefore, the pharmacist contacts the hospitalist to address the issue, to which the hospitalist informs the pharmacist to call their primary care physician instead.  Finally, when the family physician is asked about the medication issue, the physician explains they weren’t even aware of the patient being admitted to the hospital!

 While this scenario can seem daunting, the community pharmacist stands in the gap routinely for these patients, offering medication screenings and in-depth counseling services.  Many pharmacists go a step beyond medications by even partnering with their patients to assist them with lifestyle modifications, such as teaching them healthy eating, exercise, and monitoring tips.  By utilizing the HealthyHeartClub.com platform, for example, pharmacists across the nation are providing the information, encouragement, and accountability it takes to reach health goals and improve lives in their community.

 If there were ever a problem that the clinical community pharmacist can assist with, it’s discharge planning.  Pharmacists are the medication experts and are well versed in chronic disease management.  If you’re a pharmacist, call your local hospital and let them know you want to be a part of the solution for discharge planning.  If they are a part of an ACO, schedule a meeting to find a way to be a part of it. Let’s face it…they need you.  If you’re a hospital administrator or physician, know that there are myriads of clinical pharmacists in the field that are ready to partner with you.  If it were football, we’re simply the strong offensive coordinator and you’re the head coach.  Our job is to instill and impart the principles of healthy living that you’ve prescribed.

 The ball has been set, so it’s up to you to spike it!

 In my upcoming blog, we’ll dig deeper and discover simple, innovative ways to be effective in discharge planning.

 Note:  Dr. Pope and his partner in CreativePharmacist.com, Dan Lawson, recently became national champions of the Warren Baptist Church volleyball league.

Pharmacy websites should embody the word ‘simple.’ You want your users to feel welcome and to quickly find what they are looking for.  The key to a simple website is to understand who your audience is, let your users be your guide!  Most independent pharmacies will have two people groups that will interact with the site:  current patients and potential patients. 

Why are current patients visiting your site?  I would guess that they are there for one of two reasons:  to refill a prescription or to contact you.  So, while they are on your site, why not introduce them to a new service that you provide that may be relevant.  For example, we could highlight those things that set you apart, such as Sweet Spot® or Healthy Heart Club® classes, screenings, compounding, and home delivery.

Potential patients often look up a pharmacy online before they visit.  Why?  Because they’re ‘vetting’ the business before they enter!  If your website looks old and outdated, they’ll feel the same way about your business!  You may have recently updated the interior and exterior of your store, but don’t forget about your web presence as well.  Keep it fresh with updated content from time to time.  If you don’t have the time or the knowledge, connect with us.  We have a number of solutions available to help keep your site up to date and make it rival the best pharmacy sites on the web.

Marketing your pharmacy on the internet is a simple and cost-effective strategy.  For more information, contact us here and let us know how we can help you establish an online presence.

The site is the first searchable database of clinical services offered within the pharmacy space and allows patients to make an online appointment with the pharmacist. Offering online scheduling will make it easier for the members of every community to know the clinical services that pharmacists provide and give them an easy way to make an appointment.  If you’re like most pharmacists, flu season conjures feelings of both excitement and fear.  While most pharmacists want to ensure their community is immunized, they know the workflow issues that can arise when the pharmacist is charged with filling prescriptions AND immunizing at the same time.  With PharmacyForward.com, pharmacists can display their availability (i.e. the slower times of the day for prescription filling).  In addition, patients can download the usual paperwork necessary BEFORE they go to the appointment, saving both the patient and the pharmacist valuable time.

Appointments can be made for a variety of services through the site, including immunizations, diabetes education, and medication therapy management, just to name a few.  If you’re offering MTM services in your pharmacy, simply set your schedule and ask your MTM patients to find a time-slot that works best for them.

Make a difference in your community.  Partner with your patients.  In doing so, you’ll improve both your patients and the bottom line of your pharmacy.

For more information, contact David D. Pope, PharmD, CDE at david@CreativePharmacist.com.

According to recent research, inappropriate and low-level inflammation in the body may be the root cause of the chronic diseases of aging.  Omega-3s are considered anti-inflammatory.  They support joint flexibility, cardiovascular and circulatory health, promotion of a healthy anti-inflammatory response, and proper immune function.  EPA and DHA are important for maintaining cell membranes, including those of the brain and eyes.   With all these benefits, it’s definitely worth supporting your patients to increase their intake of omega-3′s!

While it does take some time to transition away from the standard American diet, your body, mind, and spirit will certainly thank you.  Even after one day of whole-food based meals, you may feel lighter and more energized. Hopefully it will continue to inspire you and those around you to strive for the highest quality food.  Quite honestly, your health and wellness depend on it. When I’m asked the question of whether it’s really necessary to buy organic foods, I often refer to the Environmental Working Group.  They have compiled a list of the “Dirty Dozen” or produce with the highest amounts of pesticides.  These are the ones I would certainly aim for organic and include:  apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines, grapes, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries, lettuce, and kale/collard greens.  But generally speaking, shopping locally and seasonally will usually be your best option.  So start now by incorporating a few new whole foods into your diet every week until you feel comfortable and see how much better you start to feel!

Herbals are often composed of many active healing constituents, so it’s not easy to trace reactions to one ingredient.  Many times the media or even medical experts may paint a negative picture of these products.  Be careful of reports that make conclusions based on flawed or incomplete scientific research, base claims of toxicity on single parts of herbs (ignoring the safer and more commonly used part of the herb), or use cases of overdose or misuse.  When helping patients select an herbal or dietary supplement, look for reputable companies that source quality raw materials and adhere to good manufacturing processes.

Americans got their first taste of canola oil in 1986 and have since been bombarded with the many purported health benefits. A few years ago, the FDA gave the O.K. for the health-labeling claim that canola oil may reduce the risk of heart disease. This comes from the fact that it has less saturated fat compared to most other oils. Canola oil has omega-3 polyunsaturated fat and a high amount of monounsaturated fat. But I still prefer my extra virgin olive oil, especially since there are more studies backing up its health benefits. When I do decide to use canola oil, I choose organic, expeller pressed varieties to reduce my exposure to chemical solvents, pesticides, and genetically modified varieties. Although there are still mixed opinions out there about canola oil, I feel it’s a good option for cooking and baking in moderation.

When it comes to habits (both good and bad), research has shown that it takes 21 days to establish a habit.  If change were easy, all your patients would be whipping up a salad at home instead of heading towards the McDonald’s drive-through. As their health coach, it is helpful to remind them that it takes time to retrain the mind and body.  You can support them during this transition by helping them set small weekly goals and checking in with them regularly on their progress.

There is definitely something to be said about having a positive attitude.  Some of the health benefits from positive thinking include living longer, lower rates of depression, improved resistance to the common cold, decreased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and better coping skills during stress.  You can help your patients battle their negative attitude by simply suggesting alternative language that is more positive.  An example would be if a patient says, “I’m so unhealthy” then you can suggest they say something like, “I’m taking steps everyday to improve my health”.

It’s no surprise why Weight Watchers has been such a successful program through the years. A 2006 study published in the British Medical Journal found that weekly support meetings help people comply with weight-loss plans longer than those using unsupported programs.  The lead study author also notes that group support reduces the amount of weight people gain back after the first six months of dieting. When patients partner with us to be their health coach, they are counting on us to keep them moving forward.  One of the most effective things we can do for them (in addition to providing education) is give them that positive reinforcement to help them overcome their personal barriers.