THE IMPORTANCE OF PHARMACISTS IN FAMILY HEALTH CLINICS IN THE CITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO: EXPERIENCE REPORT

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15953226210111

• Palavras-chave: Primary care, Family Clinic, SUS, medications, pharmaceutical professional.

• Keywords: Primary care, Family Clinic, SUS, medications, pharmaceutical professional.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Family clinics are a strategic part of primary health care, contributing to the reorientation of the health care model in accordance with the principles of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Pharmacists are part of the multidisciplinary primary health care team, dispensing medications, providing pharmaceutical guidance, conducting home visits, managing pharmaceuticals, and monitoring patients. Thus, an internship at a community pharmacy allows students to experience the planning, organization, flow of services, and execution of actions performed by clinical pharmacists. Objectives: To report on the experiences during the curricular internship at a Family Clinic, focusing on pharmaceutical care services. Materials and Methods: A descriptive-observational cross-sectional study was conducted using dispensing and care data made available through the DispensaMed program of the Municipal Health Department. The variables studied were obtained based on the patient care indicators recommended by the World Health Organization. Home visits were also conducted, accompanying the multidisciplinary health team. Results and Discussion: The intern participated in all pharmaceutical activities, both from the perspective of the Pharmaceutical Care cycle and pharmaceutical care, providing guidance to patients and/or companions. A total of 10,935 dispenses were analyzed, of which 40% were performed by the pharmacist, with antihypertensive drugs being the most prescribed/dispensed medications. The home visits were invaluable for providing an opportunity to understand the reality of the user and contribute to resolving their difficulties with pharmacotherapy.   Conclusions and Perspectives: In addition to the data obtained and the experiences gained, contact with the professional reality provided a consolidation of the theoretical knowledge acquired, such as the development of practical skills, the ability to work in a team, and contact with patients, providing them with a welcoming environment, care, and professional guidance.