A New Step in Helping Patients Understand their Prescriptions at St. Joseph Health

Eureka, Ca., (KIEM)- Lyndsey Chamberlain is in a unique position. She’s an Ambulatory Pharmacist, part of a new program at St. Joseph Health that could at once address the opiod epidemic locally, and alleviate some of the pressure physicians feel from a shortage of primary care doctors in the region.

On a daily basis Chamberlain works directly with patients, but not in the capacity you might imagine picturing a retail pharmacist (though she shared their expertise, she has a background in clinical pharmacy). She is posted in the office along side doctors and physicians assistants. Where a doctor or a PA might only have ten minutes to prescribe a medication and introduce a patient to the drug, Chamberlain can schedule sessions that last up to an hour.

Those sessions can be critical for patients dealing with long lists of concurrent prescriptions, diabetics who have more to balance that just an insulin dose, and those suffering from severe pain who may not need a narcotic or opiod based treatment. Chamberlain helps add to personalization of care, taking time doctors just don’t have. She can also give patients different options for treatment.

 Her job marks a new direction for not just St. Joseph Health, but medicine in general (according to Terri Lerma, the Area Pharmacy Director for St. Joseph Health).