Advocacy, advanced practice themes of Pharmacy U Toronto 2024

It’s one thing to be given an advanced scope of practice that allows pharmacists the authority and autonomy to provide patients with comprehensive care. It’s another thing altogether to use that ability in the best and most effective way for optimal results.Whether the subject at hand was how to treat a child’s cough or new developments in migraine treatment or an update on key vaccinations, presenters at the 12th annual Pharmacy U Toronto conference held on April 13 made a point of focusing on how current clinical knowledge can be implemented in a way that maximizes care in a holistic manner and which also contributes to pharmacy sustainability.That theme was hitting home for attendees who packed education sessions and were eager to hear about new products, technologies and services available from companies manning a large new exhibit room at this year’s event. As well as the 33 educational sessions, the largest audience in Pharmacy U history enjoyed a morning keynote from renowned motivational interviewing expert, Bruce Berger who spoke about the importance of remembering to treat and communicate with each patient as a person who has their own priorities and reasons for seeking care.A highlight was the pre-lunch plenary session on advocacy for the average pharmacist which highlighted how important it is for every pharmacist to speak for the profession where they are and with the people they meet daily. While it is essential that pharmacists continue to share the pharmacy message to key stakeholders in government and industry, individual patients, friends and even relatives are also key potential allies. Popular CanadianHealthcareNetwork blogger Jaclyn Katelnikoff, an active advocate for pharmacy on social media described how doggedly she worked to obtain a meeting with her government representatives and yet in the end if was a conversation with a patient with ties to government that won her an audience with key provincial government leaders. Said panelist Jeff May: "We never know any person’s sphere of influence; the more they know what we can do, the better the chance that they will, at some point, advocate on our behalf.” The takeaway: Let your elected officials know your thoughts about pharmacy and healthcare issues and offer to share what you know with them (As OPA’s Jen Belcher noted, politicians are not subject experts; they may as well hear about pharmacy from actual pharmacists); but also continue to share the pharmacy message with the people you meet daily. Every single person who learns about the issues pharmacy is facing is a potential ally in the fight for better representation of pharmacy issues when policy is being decided.Up next: Pharmacie U Quebec in Montreal on June 7 and Pharmacy U Vancouver on November 2.The waitlist is now open for Pharmacy U Toronto 2025

Advocacy, advanced practice themes of Pharmacy U Toronto 2024

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