Introduction & module overview

The clinical update module on heart failure (PM, August issue) gave an overview of the different types of the disease together with symptoms, signs and diagnosis as well as current prescribing recommendations. This ‘First Prescription’ module focuses on conducting a consultation with a patient with heart failure who is being started on, has had a dose change or has been changed to a new medicine. 

The module is structured to allow pharmacists to consider four counselling stages: 

• Pre-consultation
• Starting the consultation
• Questions to ask during the consultation
• Ending the consultation.