What does the role of the pharmacist look like during the future of travel?
Travel isn’t something many of us are doing right now, but it is something a lot of us are dreaming of. Though it may seem like something that is a way away, there are still people travelling today and some who will be travelling soon.
What does the role of the pharmacist look like during the future of travel?
Since the introduction of the requirements for COVID-19 testing worldwide, travel has been a confusing area for most people. A lot of this confusion has been ending up at the pharmacy and it may not stop any time soon. How prepared are you for the future of travel?
Setting up expectations
Travel for everyone comes with a lot of questions nowadays. Can I travel there? Can I come back? Do I need a test? Do I need to quarantine? When will I get my results? When do I take my test? Do I need other documentation?
There are a lot of questions floating around and it’s no surprise. Information is not always readily available and some of the information that is accessible isn’t always very clear. It is important to set expectations for your patients as well as your staff. Staff may feel they need to provide answers to patients calling in, but this is not the most efficient use of their time. Help staff feel reassured that we are health care providers and are there for their patient’s health care needs. Unfortunately, we do not have any more visibility to extra travel regulations as they do. Have some key speaking points set up for staff so they are comfortable responding this way. It is important to note that setting expectations is not easy. Not all staff members will be comfortable doing this. Consider providing all staff the needed information but have one or two champions who staff can refer to handle these calls. It is important that when dealing with patients they are not shunned away but informed that pharmacies have certain information and unfortunately do not have any information on specifics.
Knowing the right resources
Knowing how to help can be complicated when there are a lot of resources available. Understanding what the right resources are can be key in helping staff be prepared for the future of travel in your pharmacy. The following sites should help your patients better understand their travel situation: