Pharmacists & mental health monitoring : how automation can help

Pharmacists are typically associated with dispensing medication and giving advice. But since the pandemic, their roles have gotten bigger. Besides yearly vaccination, they are recognized to have a significant role in mental health monitoring.

We explore how you, as a pharmacist, can become an advocate. And how automation can help to free up time, allowing you to focus on holistic care.

Monitoring

Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals, with patients visiting pharmacies regularly. This frequent contact enables to spot changes in behaviour, mood, or medication use — all indicators of mental health issues.

In conclusion, pharmacists can act as a bridge between patients and specialized care providers.

Practical Tips

Build trust through personalization.

Being the regular pharmacist of a patient, you start to learn about his situation and health-care issues. However, asking open-ended questions and showing genuine concern for their well-being can encourage patients to discuss their problems openly.

Educate and refer to mental health services.

Mental health is not an easy topic. Pharmacists need education in picking up signals, asking the right questions and acting when necessary. Collaborations with local providers can guide patients toward care. Finally, the stigma issues must be addressed with information campaigns in the pharmacy (for example via digital screens) or via workshops/info sessions.

Discover more info on European Mental Health Week.

Pharmacy automation and mental health monitoring

Pharmacy robots for routine tasks

Dispensing robots automate tasks like sorting and dispensing, reducing pharmacists’ time on manual processes. This allows pharmacists more time for patient consultations and mental health support.

Pharmacy automation is no longer about efficiency, it is about empowering pharmacists to focus on the human side of healthcare.