Eileen Poole

This introductory module presents a very common scenario in health care – a patient visiting a medical centre where she sees a Practice Nurse and General Practitioner, and then visits a local community pharmacy. While at first glance, it may appear that the scenario does not demonstrate a lot of interprofessional communication, we encourage you to look more deeply. Where does interprofessional communication occur and how could the communication be improved? Keep in mind that at the centre of the Quality Use of Medication Cycle is the person who is the recipient of care; they are an integral member of the medication team. As you explore this module carefully consider the communication between the health professionals and Eileen Poole and how this communication impacts medication safety.

Interprofessional communication refers not only to the verbal, but also to the written communication between health professionals. In this common scenario, the Practice Nurse and General Practitioner communicate via patient notes, and the General Practitioner and the Pharmacist via prescriptions and phone calls. Consider the importance of these types of communication and how they may be done well, or not so well. Also consider the potential consequences of poor communication in these situations.

  1. Eileen's Story
  2. Practice nurse: Scenario 1
  3. Encounter with Dr Walker: Scenario 1
  4. Community pharmacist: Scenario 1
  5. Practice nurse: Scenario 2
  6. Encounter with Dr Walker: Scenario 2
  7. Community pharmacist: Scenario 2

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Supporting documents

  1. Download the Hunter New England Health ISBAR document (pdf)
  2. Download the Eileen Poole discussion and reflection questions (pdf)