The Pharmacist as Part of the Primary Care Team During the COVID-19 Pandemic

J Am Board Fam Med. 2021 Feb;34(Suppl):S21-S25. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.S1.200180.

Abstract

Pharmacists' roles and training have evolved to prepare pharmacists to provide clinical patient care services as part of interdisciplinary teams in primary care settings. Especially now, amidst a global health crisis such as COVID-19, patients may become more aware of their health status and be exposed to increased medical information in the media. Additionally, some patients may have delayed routine care, which may result in exacerbations of chronic disease states. Pharmacists can help alleviate the burden on primary care providers by serving as a drug information resource for patients and staff while providing patient education on management of chronic disease states.

Keywords: COVID-19; Chronic Disease; Delivery of Health Care; Patient Care; Pharmacists; Primary Health Care.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / therapy
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Pharmacists / organization & administration*
  • Primary Health Care / methods
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Professional Role*
  • United States / epidemiology