Starting the consultation

A good starting point is to actually explain the role of a pharmacist to the patient. This not only helps them understand why you are talking to them – possibly at more length than usual – but also gives them an insight into how and why the pharmacy is a place they can come to for ongoing support without the need for an appointment.

A patient presenting a prescription for gout medication may have been diagnosed with the condition recently or some time ago. It is sensible to explore their understanding of the condition and medication: their knowledge may be extensive or extremely limited and possibly not entirely accurate either. 

A gout attack can be extremely painful, so patients are usually motivated to try and get their symptoms under control or reduce the risk of a further exacerbation. Someone with a decent understanding of their condition is much more likely to comply with measures that have been recommended. It is also useful to establish what information they have already received.