PHARMACISTS are being urged to ensure they take advantage of the elevated profile the profession has gained during the COVID-19 pandemic to reimagine roles and pharmacy practice.
A scoping review of global pharmacists' roles and services as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, published in Pharmacist Services II, by researchers from the University of Alberta, called on pharmacists to "build on the lessons and experiences of this global pandemic and not let the momentum of the visibile and invisible changes [in practice] go to waste".
"Changes in the work of pharmacists associated with the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for monitoring long-lasting professional role changes and understanding evolving professional identities," the authors said.
"COVID-19 catalysed the necessity for pharmacists to perform public health roles to increase the available healthcare resources and personnel (e.g. COVID-19 screening, testing, and public health messaging).
"Pharmacists were also integrated in other public health initiatives such as reporting domestic violence as pharmacies were recognised as a community hub and safe haven, where victims of domestic violence could use a [specific] codeword with a pharmacist at the counter of a pharmacy to report domestic abuse or violence, even with their abuser present.
"Pharmacists' skills in critical appraisal of evidence were accelerated to meet the overwhelming need to provide accurate and informative guidance to patients, other healthcare providers and the general public.
"While none of these roles were new for pharmacists, the creative methods and public visibility of these roles was altered.
"Pharmacists were using resourceful methods to deliver public health advice and health information."
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