Communicating with patients is of the utmost importance as a pharmacist; the ability to understand patients is a skill that is crucial, but takes time and practice to build and develop.
The addition of a psychology minor to the PharmD curriculum helps to facilitate a better understanding of behavior, cognition, emotions, personality, and psychological disorders.
As pharmacists, the ability to understand and treat each patient as a whole person leads to an overall higher level of care. A background in psychology provides pharmacy students with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate empathy, compassion, and understanding into daily patient care. The field of medicine has a direct connection to mental health as part of the well-being of patients; thereby linking pharmacy and the social science of psychology.
鈥淗aving a background in psychology has provided me with the tools to develop a realistic
approach to patient care, where I am able to treat patients as a whole, rather than
a disease or symptom. The ability to better understand and identify with patients
improves the relationships I am able to build with patients, leading to an overall
higher level of patient care.鈥�