Pharmacist-led diagnostics

What if pharmacists could play a bigger role in not just managing medications—but helping identify what’s really causing a patient’s symptoms? In this episode of The MedList, Kevin and Donna sit down with pharmacist Alice Knotts to explore pharmacist-led diagnostics and the unique role pharmacists can play as part of the healthcare team. From her work treating opioid use disorder in rural Idaho to real-world examples of identifying medication-related problems, Alice shares how looking beyond the prescription can change the course of a patient’s care. The conversation also explores collaboration between pharmacists and physicians, the importance of understanding what may be driving a patient’s symptoms before adding another medication, and why getting the diagnosis right is essential to getting the treatment right. It’s a conversation about strengthening collaboration across the healthcare team, making the most of each professional’s expertise, and ultimately providing better care for patients.