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Part 5: Clinical Practice & Integration
Module 23: Hospital Rounds for the Retail Pharmacist
This module is your masterclass in the art and science of clinical communication at the point of care. We will demystify the process of “rounding” with the medical team, transforming it from an intimidating unknown into your greatest opportunity to showcase your expertise and make a profound impact on patient care.
From Solo Pilot to Cockpit Co-Pilot
Think of your current role in the community pharmacy as being a solo pilot. You are in complete command of your cockpit. When you need to communicate with a prescriber (air traffic control), you do so over the radio, one-on-one. These are a series of individual, asynchronous, and focused conversations to clarify a flight plan (a prescription).
Hospital rounds are your promotion to the multi-crew flight deck of a modern airliner. You are now a co-pilot, part of a team that includes the captain (attending physician), first officer (senior resident), and flight engineer (intern). The “flight plan” for each patient is discussed collaboratively, in real-time, at the “gate” (the patient’s bedside). Your communication must be concise, structured, and perfectly timed. Your job is to be the expert on the aircraft’s fuel systems (pharmacology) and to speak up with critical information to ensure a safe flight.
By the end of this module, you will be a confident and indispensable co-pilot in the cockpit of patient care, using your expertise and voice to ensure every journey is a safe one.
What You Will Master in This Module
This module provides a step-by-step playbook for mastering hospital rounds, giving you the tools, scripts, and confidence to become a valued member of the medical team.
What Rounds Look Like
Learn the different formats of rounds (e.g., table rounds, walking rounds), identify the key players, and understand the unspoken rules of who speaks when.
Pre-Rounding Preparation
Master the art of the efficient workup. We’ll introduce the “5-Box” method to help you systematically gather and organize the critical data you need to shine.
When to Speak & What to Say
Develop your “rounds voice.” You’ll learn the art of timing, the power of brevity, and the techniques for making a high-impact contribution without disrupting the team’s flow.
The 60-Second SBAR
Master the universal language of clinical recommendations. You will learn to structure any intervention into a concise, powerful SBAR format for maximum clarity and impact.
Common Pharmacist Interventions on Rounds
Move from theory to practice. We will workshop the most common scenarios you’ll encounter, from renal dosing and IV-to-PO conversions to antimicrobial stewardship.
Scripts & Phrases That Land Well
Translate your communication style into the language of the hospital floor. We’ll provide you with proven, professional phrases to introduce your points and frame your recommendations.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Learn from the mistakes of others. We’ll cover the common errors new hospital pharmacists make on rounds—like information overload or poor timing—and how to avoid them.
Post-Round Follow-Through
The work isn’t over when rounds end. Master the art of creating an efficient post-rounds workflow to ensure your recommendations are documented and implemented.
