Counselling

=Counselling - Gathering Information=

__**Possible Scenarios**__

· Dispensing history · New medication/script – CMI · Symptom based request · Product based request · Request for information/advise

__**Standard questions to ask**__  i. low therapeutic index drugs  ii. enzyme inducers/inhibitors  iii. drugs interactions e.g. triple whammy
 * 1) Is this for you?
 * 2) Pregnant or breastfeeding?
 * 3) How old is the child? How much does she/he weigh?
 * 4) Do you have any medical conditions? (Is it controlled?)
 * 5) Any kidney or liver problems?
 * 6) Heart problems?
 * 7) Thyroid problems?
 * 8) Lifestyle: Smoker? Alcohol? Low sodium diet?
 * 9) Do you have any allergies?
 * 10) E.g. Sulfa allergies? Shell fish allergies?
 * 11) How long ago this occur? Can you describe the reaction? E.g. Rash?
 * 12) Are you taking any medications?
 * 13) Any OTC Products?
 * 14) Any herbal products?
 * 15) Keep an eye out for

__**Questions for new medication**__

· Have you had this medication before? · Ask if they have time for counselling E.g. “There’s a few important points I’d like to go through with you about your new medication, do you have 5-10 minutes?” · Try to get an overview of what the patient knows o Firstly, I’d like to ask some questions to help me understand why the doctor has prescribed these medications – “What has the doctor told you about this medication/Condition?” · How did the doctor tell you to take the medicine? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> How much? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> How often? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> How long? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> What to do if you miss a dose? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> How to store it? ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> What did the doctor tell you to expect? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Benefits? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> How long for medication to work? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Precautions and side effects to watch out for? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> What to do if they do occur? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> How will you know if medication is working or not? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> What to do if they don’t work? __**For Symptom based request**__

·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Had it before? Recurring problem? ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> What symptom do you have? Can you describe? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Location? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Frequency? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Duration? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Severity? ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Do you know what triggers it? (Or what might have caused it?) o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Is it worse at certain times of the day E.g. night, or year e.g. hayfever season o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Worse on exersion? Worse after food? o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> What relieves it? ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Have you tried anything yet? Was it effective?

__**Some specific questions**__


 * Any new changes in your life? E.g. occupation, pets, house
 * Any changes in your lifestyle? E.g. New workshift, diet changed on holiday
 * Recent travel overseas?
 * Any one in the household with similar symptoms?
 * Sleep pattern? Requirements? Hygiene?
 * Number of cigarettes per day? Time to have first smoke after waking?