Written by Alissa Clayton, PharmD, Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS, and Hope Rockett, PharmD, MS
The concept of "influencing" in the modern era often conjures images of social media stars and digital trendsetters. However, in pharmacy, influencing extends far beyond Instagram and X (formally known as Twitter). This paper aims to reimagine and challenge the traditional notions of influence within the world of pharmacy, highlighting the multifaceted ways professionals in this field can impact their community, health systems, and healthcare at large. Through redefining pharmacy's influences, we highlight the essential role of pharmacists in driving healthcare forward.
Traditional vs. Modern Influencing
Pharmacists are influencers. While the modern view of influencing is often associated with social media, that is not the only way pharmacists can have influence. In the traditional sense, pharmacists influence prescribers by making clinical recommendations.1 They also influence patients through consultations, education, and recommendations for over-the-counter treatment options. Pharmacists who advocate for the profession through policy and legislation work to influence legislative changes to improve patient care.2 Some pharmacists may find that social media is an avenue for them to change the profession or consumer actions they desire. Social media can also be a tool to create a personal brand that can provide a career boost.3 No matter the avenue, all pharmacists can influence the profession's future in a meaningful manner.
Generational Influence
Mentorship should be seen as a fundamental influence. Mentorship bridges the knowledge gap, connecting seasoned pharmacists with professionals at all career stages, from newcomers to those well into their careers. It offers guidance through the field's complexities and nurtures essential soft skills for lasting success. This collaboration reinforces the profession's foundational values and adapts individuals to the evolving pharmacy landscape. It promotes a culture of continuous learning, critical thinking, and adaptability, which are essential traits for navigating the challenges and opportunities within the profession. Through mentorship, the cycle of learning, leadership, and innovation perpetuates, securing a future where pharmacy remains at the forefront of patient care and medical advancements.
Cultural Influence
Cultural influence shapes public health outcomes and fosters inclusive healthcare practices. Through their accessibility and trusted status within communities, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery. Their expertise in recognizing and adapting to cultural differences plays a vital role in designing healthcare interventions that are both effective and respectful of individual patient backgrounds.4 This capability not only elevates the level of patient care provided, but also supports the broader mission of reducing health disparities and advancing equitable healthcare solutions. By leveraging their expertise, pharmacists act as key players in public health, demonstrating how a nuanced appreciation of diverse patient backgrounds is critical to advancing healthcare practices. Through these efforts, pharmacists ensure that healthcare delivery is respectful of and responsive to the varied cultural contexts of the populations they serve, thereby strengthening the fabric of healthcare systems.
Innovational Influence
Pharmacy framework is constantly changing thanks to the practice innovations of pharmacists. Past technologies, such as using computers in the pharmacy and unit dose drug distribution, have transformed how we manage day-to-day operations.5-6 Pharmacists at the forefront of innovation will influence the current generation of pharmacists and the future of the profession. Currently, pharmacy is transitioning toward a more patient-centric pharmacy care system where advanced technology utilization and interprofessional care are the focus. As we move into this next phase of the pharmacy evolution, sometimes referred to as the Pharmacy 5.0 framework, pharmacists who embrace technology such as artificial intelligence, personalized medicine, and wearable health technology will guide the direction of the profession and patient care.6-8
Policy & Legislation Influence
Pharmacy policy and legislation are critical to the advancement of the pharmacy profession. Influencers in advocacy pave the way for current and future pharmacy professionals to have a seat at the table as healthcare innovation advances. ASHP released a statement urging pharmacists to view advocacy as an opportunity and a professional obligation.9 This space can be influenced by meeting with legislators, participating in grassroots efforts, providing financial support, and teaching early learners and new practitioners about legislative efforts. "ASHP's Advocacy Toolkit" recommends unique options, such as inviting your legislator for a site visit, attending legislative days, and contributing to ASHP-PAC.10 Influencing in this space can be as simple as inviting colleagues to join legislative efforts, sharing opportunities on forums and social media, and publishing the impact of this work on outcomes. Current pharmacy professionals must recognize the importance of advocacy in ensuring the profession continues to advance and flourish.
Educational Influence
Regardless of the practice setting, pharmacists exude tremendous influence over education. Whether through academia, precepting, patient education, or interdisciplinary advising, education is crucial to the pharmacist's role and overall influence in healthcare. Pharmacists can provide educational influence on varying levels based on their individual goals and practices. Educators in academia and preceptors have the unique opportunity to become influencers over the next generation, both individually and widely. This includes teaching pharmacy learners and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Whether teaching a didactic lecture, precepting patient work-up, or sharing recommendations with the team on rounds, pharmacists can instill immense influence through education. This critical role cannot be underestimated, as current pharmacists define how future generations of pharmacists will lead the advancement of the profession.
The role of pharmacists as influencers transcends traditional boundaries, embracing a multifaceted approach that includes mentorship, innovation, policy and legislation, education, and cultural competency. These dimensions collectively enhance the pharmacy profession's contribution to healthcare, demonstrating the profound impact pharmacists can have. By reimagining the concept of influence, we invite pharmacy professionals to leverage their unique positions and expertise to advance the profession. As the profession evolves, every pharmacist plays a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare. Through collective effort and a shared vision, the pharmacy community can ensure its influence is felt across the healthcare landscape.
References
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2. Jorgenson JA. Tools of the trade: Creativity, innovation, influence, and advocacy. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2018;75(11):785-794. doi:10.2146/ajhp180037
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7. Han J, Graham J, Snyder DI, Alfieri T. Long-term use of wearable health technology by chronic pain patients. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 2022;38(12):701-710. doi:10.1097/ajp.0000000000001076
8. Puri S, Pandey S, Chawla D. Impact of technology, health and consumer-related factors on continued usage intention of wearable fitness tracking (WFT) devices. Benchmarking: An International Journal. 2022;30(9):3444-3464. doi:10.1108/bij-12-2020-0647
9. Jeff Little, Melissa Ortega, Michael Powell, Mark Hamm, ASHP Statement on Advocacy as a Professional Obligation, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Volume 76, Issue 4, 15 February 2019, Pages 251–253, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxy040
10. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Advocacy Toolkit. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://www.ashp.org/new-practitioner/new-practitioners-forum/new-practitioner-resources