Do pharmacists know more about medication/drugs than doctors?

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

Specifically with regards to drug action and mechanism

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[Forever Geebs]

I looked at your post history and the threads you start are... interesting.

Yes, no, maybe so. It depends.


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[BigBoss]

Depends. For example, a doctor who is a specialist may know more about drugs that pertain to their specialty than a pharmacist.


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[Tenk]

They sure as hell know more about dosing vancomycin than I do.

 

[mistafab]

I would say a general yes makes sense. Doctors focus on meds, illnesses, patient interaction, relationship, course of care, etc.

The pharmacist literally does nothing but look at scrips and drugs all day. They don’t have to consider course of illness, goals of care, etc. So in general I would assume a pharmacist would know more about mech’s and dosing than the average doc.

That said, once you get into very specific fields (neurovirology is a good example), the doctor/scientists will know lots about their very particular set of tools than a pharmacist would just because the meds sometimes can be so new and novel that the mechanism is basically based in theory and applied science.

 

[455424]

First, OP this is an asinine question and is entirely based on the individual. This isn't a game of "who knows more" but a game of how our professions can complement each other. I've worked with physicians who strive to be well informed and have taught me things that I don't know and I've worked with physicians that I've had to instruct and guide.

I would say a general yes makes sense. Doctors focus on meds, illnesses, patient interaction, relationship, course of care, etc.

The pharmacist literally does nothing but look at scrips and drugs all day. They don’t have to consider course of illness, goals of care, etc. So in general I would assume a pharmacist would know more about mech’s and dosing than the average doc.

That said, once you get into very specific fields (neurovirology is a good example), the doctor/scientists will know lots about their very particular set of tools than a pharmacist would just because the meds sometimes can be so new and novel that the mechanism is basically based in theory and applied science.

"The pharmacist literally does nothing but look at scrips and drugs all day." Where did you obtain this information? Please go and overview a Pharm. D. curriculum and a clinical pharmacist job description prior to making blanket statements about a profession. A critical part of our profession is ensuring appropriateness of therapy and guiding clinical decisions toward the best outcomes for patients.

 

[RNthenDoc]

My ID docs know more about ABX, my cardiologists know more about cardiotropes etc.

But the pharmacist knows more about drugs I’m general. (That has been my experience).

I’m lucky enough to work in a huge academic center where the pharmacists have great resources when I ask tough questions. They will often “phone a friend” and get info from a specialized pharmacist.

My ignorant self didn’t realize that there were pharmacists who “specialized” and know a lot about certain drug classes etc. pharmacists are super great. One of my most needed resources.

 

[HomeSkool]

Pharmacists are consultants who bring specialized knowledge and experience to the table. They're valuable members of the healthcare team.

My surgeons are really good at their jobs, but they're rubbish at anesthetic management (though some fail to understand that), so they consult me. In turn, I'm really good at what I do, but I occasionally need the insights of other specialists to supplement my own expertise as I manage the patient's perioperative care. In those cases, I've consulted cardiologists, pathologists (they run the blood bank), endocrinologists, oral surgeons, and other professionals including pharmacists. In other words, I don't usually need pharmacists' help, but when I consult them it's because they possess specialized knowledge that I don't.

On the other hand, pharmacists don't have all the clinical training I do, nor does their education provide as much knowledge of the complex interactions of diseased and healthy organ systems, which is why they're not doing my job.

TL;DR: They damn well better know more about drugs than I do, or who's gonna bail my ass out when I get lost in the (figurative) weeds?

 

[halamadrid17]

Isn’t that their only job?

 

[IlDestriero]

Yes and no. They may know more about some drugs and interactions, but as an anesthesiologist I know as much or more about the drugs we use, as we have to determine who to use what drugs on and why one might be better than another. That specialty clinical decision making isn’t what a pharmacist usually does. I call them often about interactions, uncommon drugs, etc. They’re a great resource.


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Il Destriero

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

First, OP this is an asinine question and is entirely based on the individual. This isn't a game of "who knows more" but a game of how our professions can complement each other. I've worked with physicians who strive to be well informed and have taught me things that I don't know and I've worked with physicians that I've had to instruct and guide.


"The pharmacist literally does nothing but look at scrips and drugs all day." Where did you obtain this information? Please go and overview a Pharm. D. curriculum and a clinical pharmacist job description prior to making blanket statements about a profession. A critical part of our profession is ensuring appropriateness of therapy and guiding clinical decisions toward the best outcomes for patients.

Damn. Never met someone this salty since Clinton lost the election. Did you leave wife leave you for an MD or something?

 

[ciestar]

I worked with pharmacists for almost four years of my life. They learn things in a different way than a medical school curriculum teaches you. But, this is their job and they specialize in knowing the ins and outs of medications. However, it all depends. As stated before, an anesthesiologist’s career rides on knowing the specifics of medications, their half lives, their interactions, etc.

 

[mistafab]

A critical part of our profession is ensuring appropriateness of therapy and guiding clinical decisions toward the best outcomes for patients.

So we agree.