Approach to the Patient

• Write prescriptions accurately (under supervision).
• Develop a management plan including: Pharmacologic treatment and non-pharmacologic treatment.
• Assess for risk of drug interactions (including an approach to polypharmacy in the elderly)
• Assess for risk of iatrogenic complications (including increased risk among the elderly).
• Participate in a care plan discussion with a patient understanding the role of shared-decision making.
• Understand the roles of and collaborate with allied health professionals in a patient’s care.
• Assess a patient’s competence to make decisions regarding therapy.
• Undertake discharge planning including arranging and communicating follow-up plans.
• Consider the concepts of resource stewardship and high value care in making treatment decisions.
• Monitor for response to therapy including compliance and potential adverse effects.
• Consider legal and/or ethical issues as well as psychosocial aspects in deciding on an appropriate treatment.
• Identify resources to help determine appropriate treatment options for common and uncommon medical problems.
• Understand responsibility associated with treatment strategies: cost, ensuring the patient understands and is able to adhere to the treatment plan.
• Adjust therapeutic plans appropriately when required (i.e., when new diagnostic information is available; when there is a change in patient preference or goals of care).
• Understand the symptoms sometimes seen during end-of-life care and the basic principles of their management (e.g., pain, dyspnea, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, depression, delirium, constipation).