Creating an Open Forum for Primary Care Providers

October 2015, Vol 3, No 10 - The First Word
Donald J. Dietz, RPh, MS

"Today’s pharmacy environment is complex, and there are a variety of important metrics to ensure the successful, profitable operation of a retail pharmacy.”

Inside Patient Care seeks to provide practical information of the highest caliber for the entire healthcare team treating and caring for patients inside the pharmacy and clinic. The journal offers a forum for primary care providers managing and coordinating patient care, including pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians.

Our mission is to provide the tools that you need to implement the best therapeutic options, navigate the healthcare system, and achieve professional success. In that effort, the Editorial Board members and publisher of the journal have ongoing discussions about the best topics to cover, along with new columns that would benefit you the most.

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Looking Back at 2015

Most recently, the Editorial Board met to review recent accomplishments and set course for 2016. One of our key achievements this year was the inclusion of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as stakeholders of the publication. Very early on, we recognized the expanding network of primary care providers, and the importance of working together as one to coordinate patient care.

Another key achievement was our ability to stay ahead of the trends in health by speaking with experts in the field. In particular, we spoke with the former Executive Vice President of Pharmacy at Rite Aid, Robert Thompson, about the evolution of retail pharmacies and innovative service offerings; the Chief Health Care Officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges, Janis Orlowski, MD, MACP, about the physician workforce shortage; and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Allergy & Asthma Network, Tonya Winders, MBA, who discussed the role of primary care providers in the community on allergy and asthma care.

We also continued to provide essential resources enabling you to provide optimal patient care in the form of patient tips, clinical guideline updates, as well as tools to better communicate with patients. Furthermore, we provided you with valuable information to achieve professional success and grow your business, such as how to integrate specific health services in your pharmacy or clinic, and how to diversify revenues. We also provided personal financial information about your 401k, and how to prepare for tax season.

Looking Ahead

For 2016, we have been brainstorming about a variety of topics to cover in the journal, as well as new columns focusing on innovative strategies for providing the highest level of care to patients visiting community pharmacies and clinics.

One of the ideas that came out of our discussions included creating a Q&A column addressing some of the key trends in the industry. For example, what are the characteristics of a high-performing pharmacy? In pharmacies I have managed in the past, the 2 key metrics were number of prescriptions dispensed, and pharmacy profitability. However, today’s pharmacy environment is more complex, and there are a variety of other equally important metrics to ensure the successful, profitable operation of a retail pharmacy. We will be exploring this topic in more detail in an upcoming issue of the journal.

A key component of this column will be to address any questions that you may have, and get feedback from the experts on our board. We welcome your questions and insight on the topics we cover. Consider the characteristics of high-performing pharmacies, and send your feedback to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

As we prepare for our fourth year, we will continue to provide you with innovative articles and topics that are relevant to your practice setting inside a retail pharmacy or clinic—similar to the Patient Tip on diabetes prevention (see “5 Tips to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes”)—as well as timely news coverage (see “The Vitals”). We will also strive to provide you with insights from outside the pharmacy walls, such as the perspective column, Inside Government News (see “President Obama’s Bet on Personalized Medicine”).

Inside Patient Care is continually providing you with the most relevant information of the highest caliber to help you practice to the best of your abilities in a high-performing pharmacy. If you have any feedback about articles we have published, or ideas you would like to share with us for future issues, please let us know by e-mailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Last modified: October 29, 2015
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