Having superb knowledge of pharmacy, pharmaceuticals and biologics, disease states, and applying this knowledge to patient care was a unanimous characteristic among all four survey groups (pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and patients).

When pharmacists use their knowledge in all three domains (dispensing, discovery, and counseling), they are more than likely taking responsibility for the patient. The difference between a “good pharmacist” and other pharmacists is the way they see their role. The “good pharmacist” respects patients and sees her or his role as helping patients make the best use of their medication, while other pharmacists see their role as dispensing medication without much need to interact with patients.

However, when patients speak of the “good pharmacist,” they are not talking about the pharmacist’s knowledge and technical expertise. They are thinking about the virtues of caring and friendliness, the characteristic of good communication, and the habit of being attentive.

Pharmacists should be in a unique covenant with patients. What would you say is the difference between the relationship of a flight attendant and a passenger versus the relationship of a pharmacist and a patient?

The major differences are: the pharmacist-patient relationship is personal, professional, and discreet, and should result in a lasting bond as compared to a period in time provided while on an airplane where the relationship ends when one disembarks from the airplane.

Besides wanting their prescription filled correctly, patients want respect, recognition, and a sense of significance, but most of all they want their pharmacist to be available, friendly, and caring. Caring is an essential element of being a “good pharmacist,” and is “one of the preconditions for building an effective therapeutic alliance with patients.”

“Good pharmacists” are perceived to be people who present a strong work ethic – they intrinsically believe hard work is virtuous and “good” (careful, prompt, diligent, detail oriented, informed, fast, accurate, meticulous, focused, efficient, hard working, resourceful, precise, results-oriented, attentive, discerning, dedicated, thorough, precise, hard-working, focused, aware, problem-solver, effective, timely, and initiative).

Pharmacists are perceived to be of a higher moral make-up than the average population (mature, supportive, accessible, sense of humor, thoughtful, gregarious, warm, affable, pleasant, tenacious, joyful, nice, honest, dependable, judicious, personable, patient, responsible, considerate, conscientious, trustworthy, sincere, observant, inclusive, incorruptible, visionary, cautious, enthusiastic, good tempered, kind, friendly, and sincere).

Pharmacists see beyond the prescription to the individual (polite, accessible, interactive, faithful, neighborhood-centric, contributing, straight forward, respectful, compassionate, approachable, non-judgmental, empathetic, listens, involved, visible patient-centered, concerned, helpful, understanding, courteous, responsive, and available).