Write a 4 page essay on Understanding of Evidence Based Medicine.Download file to see previous pages... In an attempt to improve the health and well being of a patient, the pharmacist follows the prac

Write a 4 page essay on Understanding of Evidence Based Medicine.

In an attempt to improve the health and well being of a patient, the pharmacist follows the practice of evidence based medicine. A pharmacist must be well acknowledged in Evidence Based Medicine as it allows them to guide the patient properly and answer clinical questions with accuracy. “EBM allows the pharmacist to better scrutinize physician orders so as to identify a more suitable medication or a less expensive alternative”.

The Pharmacist must also be well versed to deal with enquiries related to therapies, medical issues, diagnosis enquiries, prognosis, etiology and prevention and comical problems. The EBM enables to avoid medical errors and cut unnecessary medical costs. The pharmacist has to employ clinical expertise in order to evaluate the medical condition of the individual patient and prescribe a medicine which is best for their health. The patient must be provided information based on evidence. In the website Albrecht(2009)“ Evidence” is the data which informs about the drugs, it’s use, it’s interaction with other drugs and the latest medical treatment for illnesses which are common and uncommon. As a pharmacist, a person with bi – polar disorder need to be assisted with great precaution as bi – polar drug’s interaction with other drugs can induce problem with patient’s health. A woman who plans to be pregnant need to be advised appropriately as lithium can interfere with the chances of getting pregnant. It is not safe to take lithium when one is planning for pregnancy as the child can be handicapped or born with deformities. Bi – polar is a brain disorder, where people experience mood swings with extreme mania or depression. Bi- polar patients with lithium medication can get exposed to health risk during first three months of pregnancy. The baby can be born with heart valve problems or other illness and hence lithium should be avoided in initial stages of pregnancy. According to Menon (2010)“If lithium is used during pregnancy, use of the lowest possible dose, close monitoring of serum levels, and appropriate monitoring of the baby are recommended”. As a pharmacist, I would advise the women that lithium could pose health risks to the baby and she can be prescribed to folic acids to avoid complications. The women also need to consult a psychiatrist in order to understand the side effects of the lithium on the baby at fetal stage. If the woman is advised not to discontinue her medication by her physician, then other drugs should be introduced to protect her pregnancy. As a pharmacist, one must know entire details about drugs, its side effects and interaction with other drugs. The Pharmacist should be able to prescribe right drug with the right dosage to patient in order to avoid medical error. Pharmacist is a respected profession, where they are trained highly and delivered specific skills to guide patients with drugs. The health of a patient is of utmost importance and error in prescription can even be fatal to them. First of all, the verbal communication of the pharmacist needs to be accurate as they need to respond to the patient’s queries appropriately. If a pharmacist is in confusion then consultation should be done with doctor. He should also be able to work in co – ordination with other like physicians, drug stores staff, store clerks and managers. The pharmacist must also be expert in reading prescription and decipher it in order to deliver the drugs to the patients promptly.