Consultations about first prescriptions

This module introduces a structure for consultations that can be used by pharmacy teams when a patient begins any new medication, including remote and face-to-face NMS interventions and conversations about discharge medicines. 

Adapting the Four E’s consultation structure outlined in the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education’s consultation skills model, it provides a useful framework when talking to patients about new prescriptions. 

Key facts

• Conversations about new medicines have been shown to support better treatment adherence and outcomes
• An increase in the number of clinical areas covered by the new medicine service and now also discharge medicines reconciliation consultations have expanded this opportunity
• Some consultations have moved remotely rather than conversations face-to-face, which presents challenges and benefits for both pharmacy teams and patients/carers
• An adapted “Five E’s” structure for consultations can help pharmacists make the most of discussion time with patients

Contributing author: Professor Nina L Barnett, PhD, FFRPS, FRPharmS, IPresc JP, consultant pharmacist and visiting professor at Kingston University