Primary care refers to the provision of accessible and first-contact healthcare services to all types of patients一seniors, adults, and children. It focuses on the general welfare of patients by providing preventive care, wellness programs, and treatment for various diseases. It is usually provided for by a primary care physician who practices general medicine.
Primary care is the first stop of every patient for all things health and medical-related. They seek primary care physicians to access health information and receive medical care to achieve maximum health outcomes.
According to the WHO, primary care practitioners have several vital roles in the community. These are as follows:
- Manages a patient’s ongoing health through prevention, early diagnosis, disease treatment, and management.
- Providing broader healthcare coverage so patients can receive the care they need.
- Creating a solid patient-doctor relationship that’s built on trust.
- Bridging gaps between health services to fulfill patients’ health needs.
- Making referrals to specialists, pharmacists, social workers, and other allied health professionals.
However, there are still a lot of factors that can hinder a patient from getting the care they need. This includes financial capacity, time, lack of knowledge, and more.
One way to address some of these concerns is to incorporate medication dispensing into primary care practices.
How can in-house dispensing help patients in the primary care setting?
Easy access to quality medications
Accessibility in healthcare can mean different things to different people. For patients, accessibility can mean one or more of the following:
- Accessible location or easy-to-reach facility in terms of transportation.
- Easy scheduling or appointment system.
- Flexible and convenient facility hours.
- Phone calls and queries are promptly addressed.
- Little to no waiting times; patients are seen quickly.
So, offering point of care dispensing is a game changer in terms of healthcare accessibility for patients. With in-office dispensing, doctors won’t have to identify the patient’s preferred pharmacy, call the prescription in, and take a bunch of verification and authorization calls.
Moreover, patients don’t have to wait for days until their prescriptions are available in their pharmacy of choice. Additionally, they won’t have to travel from the clinic to the pharmacy and wait in long lines to fill their prescriptions.
This improved access to quality medications can result in positive patient experience and satisfaction, leading to patient adherence and continuity of care.
Fosters doctor-patient relationship
The physician-patient relationship is one of the foundations of primary care medicine. It can significantly impact a patient’s overall health outcome and perception of clinical care.
Providing medication dispensing services fosters this relationship since it promotes patient confidentiality to a higher level. For example, patients can freely inquire about their medications or treatment plan since sessions happen behind closed doors.
Plus, there will be no reservations when discussing the how’s and why’s of their medication, especially for confidential diseases, such as syphilis, hepatitis, and others.
Improved medication adherence and compliance
According to research, almost 50% of patients do not adhere to their prescribed medications, thus disrupting treatment plans and recovery. There are various factors why many patients do not comply with their care plans, such as financial issues, accessibility, lack of medication knowledge, and more.
Fortunately, physician medication dispensing can help address these problems and improve patient compliance and medication adherence. Here’s how:
- Patients don’t have to wait for days or travel to their preferred pharmacy just to get their medications. They can have it immediately after their appointment.
- Dispensing in the clinic allows doctors to explain proper medication usage to their patients.
- In return, patients can now freely inquire to their doctor about queries or issues regarding their medication. For example, patients can request a liquid form of their prescribed drug if they have trouble swallowing large pills.
- Doctors can immediately dissuade wrong notions or potential fears of patients regarding their medications.
Point of care dispensing won’t entirely solve the problem of medication non-adherence. However, it can bridge a significant gap in the healthcare system, making it more accessible to every patient.
Significant enhancement in overall health
Easy access to quality drugs, increased patient convenience, and improved medication adherence are all ingredients for optimal health. The benefits of in-office dispensing greatly improve patient health, disease management and increases the chance of recovery.
Why choose First Coast Health Solutions?
First Coast Health Solutions can help doctors and clinics set up dispensing services through our medication dispensing programs. You’ll be able to access our physician dispensing software, which features the following:
- Accurate and real-time inventory tracking and management.
- Adjudicates insurance programs and workers’ compensation.
- Flexible payment options
- Revenue tracking
- Prepacked medications from esteemed pharmaceutical companies.
- Prompt software assistance when needed.
Start improving your primary care practice by partnering with us! Contact us now to learn more.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
