November is Rural Health Month – a time to recognize the work of health care professionals who are dedicated to improving access to health care for those living in rural areas.
Tate Owens, 2022 Pharm.D., is a clinical pharmacist with Tandem Health, a federally qualified health center and accredited patient-centered medical home based in Sumter, South Carolina. Owen’s role allows her to work alongside a team of caregivers to work collaboratively in providing care to patients.
Owens shared her thoughts about the importance of the team approach to health care to ensure best practices.
The experiences provided by the College of Pharmacy allow their students to find their passions within our field of practice. They also help prepare students for real-world experiences ...
How did the College of Pharmacy help prepare you for your current role as a clinical pharmacist?
Owens: I am very appreciative that the College of Pharmacy helped provide insight into the various fields of pharmacy available by having speakers come in and offering a wide range of rotational experiences. Most people, including myself when I started pharmacy school, only think of pharmacists that work in retail or hospital pharmacies, but that is not the case.
The experiences provided by the College of Pharmacy allow their students to find their passions within our field of practice. They also help prepare students for real-world experiences through labs, such as practicing our patient counseling skills. Patient counseling is a huge part of my job as an ambulatory care pharmacist at Tandem Health. Not only do I help manage chronic disease states, but I also help counsel patients on their medications, applying continuous glucose monitors, diet, and exercise. The College of Pharmacy helped me set a foundation for patient counseling that I have solidified throughout the years.
How does your role demonstrate collaboration between health care providers and how
pharmacists and other providers work together in support of the patient?
Owens: At Tandem Health, clinical pharmacists are embedded into clinical sites to work closely with the physicians and staff to help provide comprehensive patient care. My role specifically is at Tandem Health's Family Medicine clinics on Main Street in Sumter and in Pinewood. I have the opportunity to work with the medical residents and attending physicians to help advance patient care and provide insights into medication management. I also serve as a medication access point to help patients find alternative ways to afford their medications, such as applying for Welvista or through patient assistance applications.
Why is it important that health care professionals from all areas work together and
how does that benefit the patient?
Owens: Collaboration between health care professionals is important to help ensure patients receive comprehensive medical care and help optimize their outcomes. At Tandem, our providers and staff work together to ensure patients receive the best care possible. We have physicians and pharmacists that collaborate on medication therapy management for chronic diseases, pharmacists and community health workers that help with medication access, and two on-site pharmacies so patients can treat their visits as a "one-stop shop" to see their doctor and get their medications at the same time.
This not only helps with medication adherence, but also helps with the patient's quality of life. Many patients have transportation issues, so the more we can help within a single appointment, the better. This would not be possible without the help of various health care professionals working together for the patient.
Topics: Alumni Programs, Pharm.D. Program, Tandem Health-USC Pharmacy Residency Program