TAPTYPE….A new tool for pharmacists
In Canada, all pharmacists can assess minor ailment symptoms and recommend self-care or over-the-counter treatments. In many provinces, pharmacists can also prescribe medications for specific minor ailments.
When assessing and documenting minor ailments, Canadian pharmacists have several resources available to help them provide appropriate therapy.
We developed TAPTYPE to empower physicians and pharmacists with an advanced patient assessment and documentation tool.
As a pharmacist, TAPTYPE guides you step by step to assess and document minor ailments – as per your province regulations – through a set of predefined questions for each minor ailment directing you to the red flag symptoms, which, if present, you’ll need to refer your patients to their primary care physician, while keeping accurate documentation for better clinical outcomes.
You also can expedite your patient intake process through TAPTYPE’s add-on features: Share Questionnaire and Terminal Access.
Share Questionnaire Add-on
Share Questionnaire empowers you to initiate the patients’ notes, then select and send the intake questions to the patients before their in-person or virtual visit. By using this feature, you engage your patients responsibly to answer the questions. You also reduce the time spent in documentation, as the patients will enter the consultation with 30% to 60% of their notes already done.
“TAPTYPE’s add- on features will reduce the time you spend in documentation, as the patients will enter the consultation with 30% to 60% of their notes already done.”
Terminal Access Add-on
Terminal Access allows you to create terminal access for your pharmacy where patients can initiate their intake notes, answer the questionnaire, then wait for their appointment.
In Ontario, as of January 1, 2023, pharmacists are authorized to prescribe medications for 13 minor ailments that include allergic rhinitis, candidal stomatitis (oral thrush), conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic and viral), dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact), dysmenorrhea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hemorrhoids, herpes labialis (cold sores), impetigo, insect bites and urticaria (hives), tick bites (post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease), musculoskeletal sprains and strains, and urinary tract infections (uncomplicated).
Minor ailments are described as health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies
Additional criteria include being a short-term condition where lab results aren’t usually required, having low risk of treatment masking underlying conditions, no medication or medical history red flags that could suggest a more serious condition; and only minimal or short-term follow-up is required.
To support understanding of this scope of practice change in Ontario, all Part A pharmacists must complete the Mandatory Orientation for Minor Ailments Prescribing module before prescribing for minor ailments and no later than December 31, 2023. There is no cost to pharmacists for completing this module.
“In Ontario, as of January 1, 2023, pharmacists are authorized to prescribe medications for 13 minor ailments.”
In addition to thoroughly understanding the legislative requirements of prescribing for minor ailments, pharmacists may also support their practice with clinical-based continuing education.
In summary, Canadian pharmacists have several resources available to help them assess and document minor ailments. By following the appropriate guidelines and utilizing available tools or completing mandatory orientation modules where required, Canadian pharmacists can provide appropriate therapy for several minor ailments.
Looking to assess and document minor ailments in your pharmacy? Try TAPTYPE today!
