FACTUAL APPROACH TO DECISION MAKING IN

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Factual approach to decision making

Good management practices are based on the use of
facts, data and information. This allows for
objective decision making that will lead to positive
actions. The basis for factual approach to decision
making is the performance based management system.

What is decision making in pharmacy?

Pharmacists, as important members of a patient’s
healthcare team, are always making decisions. These
decisions, such as ones made in the context of renewals
or adaptations, are evident in a pharmacist's everyday
practice.

Decisions are made during the patient assessment, in

the process of filling the prescription, in creating
documentation and in counselling the patient. They are
also made when determining whether follow-up and/or
monitoring is appropriate, such as to engage more
frequently with a patient that has chronic health issues
or to conduct a more regular evaluation of the
effectiveness of a drug therapy.

What are four steps in decision making?

 Information gathering
 Identifying options
 Weighing options
  Making a recommendation

Some of the decisions made throughout a day’s

practice, such as determining when the
following may be required:

o Pharmacist intervention (e.g. adaptation, alternate

therapy)
o Additional patient assessment
o Informed consent
o Consideration of additional therapeutic options
o Management of drug interactions
o Patient education or communication
o Collaboration with a prescriber or healthcare professional
o Follow-up and monitoring
o Additional research or information gathering