Dr. Ronda Chakolis

Probably the volume of medications that people take have increased, and then you pair that with the rollout of various vaccines and just the demands of having to multitask and, as Dr. Newsome said, just constantly give and squeeze out a little bit more when there's nothing there. And then you have to turn around and try to be present for family and present for community.

Probably the volume of medications that people take have increased, and then you pair that with the rollout of various vaccines and just the demands of having to multitask and, as Dr. Newsome said, just constantly give and squeeze out a little bit more when there's nothing there. And then you have to turn around and try to be present for family and present for community.

And so we're definitely at a point where we're in a crisis and I'm glad we're here to talk about those issues.

And so we're definitely at a point where we're in a crisis and I'm glad we're here to talk about those issues.

I can just say I would certainly welcome Dr. Newsome's opinion. She has an outstanding career. She is from Arkansas. She's done a lot of work. I know she could probably provide additional insight, but for me, I can remember when I first started practicing in 2009, and I was like, whoa. What did I get myself into? But there's just been the expansion of services.

I can just say I would certainly welcome Dr. Newsome's opinion. She has an outstanding career. She is from Arkansas. She's done a lot of work. I know she could probably provide additional insight, but for me, I can remember when I first started practicing in 2009, and I was like, whoa. What did I get myself into? But there's just been the expansion of services.

So in addition to, you know, when you think about just the prescription, there's things that we're supposed to do when we pass out that prescription. We're supposed to counsel the patient and tell them how to use it. And then, you know, you're looking for interactions. And so then

So in addition to, you know, when you think about just the prescription, there's things that we're supposed to do when we pass out that prescription. We're supposed to counsel the patient and tell them how to use it. And then, you know, you're looking for interactions. And so then

Fast forward, you start thinking about, as we discussed, a business model and how do you remain profitable when potentially you're losing money on dispensing medications. You add things like other clinical services. So you'll add things like vaccines or you'll add things where you have the ability to prescribe birth control.

Fast forward, you start thinking about, as we discussed, a business model and how do you remain profitable when potentially you're losing money on dispensing medications. You add things like other clinical services. So you'll add things like vaccines or you'll add things where you have the ability to prescribe birth control.

And so you have all of these different things, but you don't necessarily have more bodies or more time to do it. Dr. Newsome, do you have anything to add?

And so you have all of these different things, but you don't necessarily have more bodies or more time to do it. Dr. Newsome, do you have anything to add?

Well, I would say the same thing. And then the other thing is there's the other piece that we don't talk about, and this is one of the things that is very much in keeping with Dr. Newsom's initiative, is the mental health and well-being of pharmacists and pharmacy staff. So you couple this huge leap in responsibility, more tasks, more things to do, more visibility.

Well, I would say the same thing. And then the other thing is there's the other piece that we don't talk about, and this is one of the things that is very much in keeping with Dr. Newsom's initiative, is the mental health and well-being of pharmacists and pharmacy staff. So you couple this huge leap in responsibility, more tasks, more things to do, more visibility.

And then you're working in an environment where people are not necessarily well. So even when I'm teaching students, people don't come to the pharmacy like they used to to get a root beer float or a soda fountain beverage. They're coming because they're not well or they're there to help take care of a family member. So number one, you have to remember that

And then you're working in an environment where people are not necessarily well. So even when I'm teaching students, people don't come to the pharmacy like they used to to get a root beer float or a soda fountain beverage. They're coming because they're not well or they're there to help take care of a family member. So number one, you have to remember that

We see people in pharmacy when they're not at their best. And as a result, sometimes pharmacists are also subject to harassment and workplace violence and people not necessarily being kind. I know in Dr. Newsom's state, they have some very strong legislation in terms of what happens if a customer or a person tries to harm a pharmacist. But we don't have that across the country.

We see people in pharmacy when they're not at their best. And as a result, sometimes pharmacists are also subject to harassment and workplace violence and people not necessarily being kind. I know in Dr. Newsom's state, they have some very strong legislation in terms of what happens if a customer or a person tries to harm a pharmacist. But we don't have that across the country.

So you imagine the stress and burnout can also be coupled with this increase of duties, along with experiencing this unprecedented. And I would say it's unprecedented because I haven't seen it in 15 years where people are their mental health is not well. And as a result, can be very aggressive and hostile on some occasions. And so you just got to try to balance all of that.

So you imagine the stress and burnout can also be coupled with this increase of duties, along with experiencing this unprecedented. And I would say it's unprecedented because I haven't seen it in 15 years where people are their mental health is not well. And as a result, can be very aggressive and hostile on some occasions. And so you just got to try to balance all of that.