I was honored to be able to interview an amazing pharmacist Dr. Ally Dering-Anderson. She’s a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy. She is involved in teaching and coordinating a number of classes focused on clinical services in community pharmacies include a Point of Care Testing course.
You can let her know you enjoyed her interview by Tweeting her @DrAllyRP!
Key takeaways from our discussion:
- Research team studying the market, ROI and patient interest in rapid diagnostic testing for influenza and group A strep
- Now research team is studying feasibility of point of care screening tests in Community Pharmacy: Hep C, HIV
- follow up process with Public Health system when positive test results
- Concept of using Community Pharmacy as a triage point to access the rest of the healthcare system
- New opportunities designed for the independent community pharmacists: Tb screenings, follow ups with patients after screening/testing
- Pharmacists DECREASE inappropriate prescribing (saying “no” after a negative test)
- Pharmacists role in early identification and prevention of transmission of virus
- The first steps to building trust and rapport with primary care providers to facilitate collaboration
- Utilize your existing relationships to leverage future collaboration
- The two types of providers that are more open to collaborative practice agreements
- Identify the unique needs of your local community
I hope this excellent interview gave you some ideas for a point of care test you could offer in your practice.