Sample Portfolio Entry for Missed Questions (P1 Student)
Descriptor for question missed 303 Patient Counseling: Prime questions for new prescription
Associated Learning Objectives from PHA 303 Class:
1. Explain and use the "three question/Indian Health Service" approach to counseling about new prescriptions. What is the reason behind a questioning approach?
2. Generate and recognize questions that expand each of the prime questions.
The "three prime questions/IHS" approach to counseling is designed to get the patient to state what he already understands about his medication. The pharmacist then fills in any gaps in that knowledge. The counseling technique promotes a two-way discussion of the medication. So the pharmacist is not just lecturing the patient. There is an alternating question/answer format. This back and forth keeps it interactive. The questions are worded in such a way that relieves anxiety if the patient does not know the answer. The patient can just say, "The doctor didn't go over that." The three prime questions are:
1. What did the doctor tell you this medication is for? This promotes a discussion of purpose. All patients should know why they are taking their medication. Also, as a pharmacist you should know why your patients are taking their medications. After asking the first prime question, other questions may need to be asked to further clarify or expand the patient's understanding of purpose such as: What problem or symptoms is it supposed to help? What is it supposed to do?
2. How did your doctor tell you to take this medication? This promotes a discussion of directions for use including all aspects of dosage and administration. You can expand the second prime question with the following: How often did your doctor say to take it? How much are you supposed to take? How long are you to continue taking it? What did your doctor say to do when you miss a dose? How should you store this medication? What does X times a day mean to you?
3. What did your doctor tell you to expect? This promotes a discussion of expected outcomes, i.e., relief, side effects to expect, and precautions. You can expand the third prime question with the following: What good effects are you to expect? How will you know if the medication is working? What bad effects did your doctor tell you to watch for? What should you do if a bad reaction occurs? What precautions are you to take while on this medication? How will you know if it's not working? What are you to do if the medication doesn't work?
