Breathe Easy: Fee for Service in Respiratory Healthcare with Sherri Barden

In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, is joined by Sherri Barden, Pharmacist and Asthma Educator at Moama Village Pharmacy. Listen to this episode to explore the transformative journey of implementing specialized fee-for-service asthma and hay fever clinics, uncovering the challenges and triumphs that shape the evolving landscape of patient-centered Pharmacy care. And also discover the power of empathy, community engagement, and strategic communication in fostering meaningful connections and driving impactful change within the Pharmacy sector. With over three decades in Community Pharmacy, Sherri has developed successful fee-for-service asthma and hay fever clinics and consults with other Pharmacies to implement similar programs. Growing up in a small farming community near Moama, New South Wales, Sherri's passion for improving patient understanding and adherence to medication led them to establish asthma and hay fever education clinics and provide consultancy services for respiratory medicine in other Pharmacies. Despite challenges, including patient reluctance and staff mindset shifts towards paid services, Sherri remains committed to proactive patient education and effective healthcare services, emphasizing the crucial role of communication and staff empowerment. They share insights into the strategic implementation of fee-for-service models, tailoring approaches to individual Pharmacy capacities and staff comfort levels. Sherri highlights the importance of community engagement and effective marketing strategies to promote clinic services, emphasizing the impact of patient relationships and community engagement on Pharmacy success. Additionally, Sherri provides valuable insights into creating and implementing effective hay fever and asthma clinics, stressing the significance of utilizing resources from organizations such as Asthma Australia and the National Asthma Council. They emphasize the importance of proper medication usage, technique, symptom monitoring, and the potential for cross-referrals to other Pharmacy services. Sherri also underlines the importance of transparency and patient consent in creating an ideal Pharmacy environment, as well as the powerful role of empathy in fostering Patient-Pharmacist relationships and cultivating a compassionate work environment.