So, if you own, manage or work in a pharmacy you may find this helpful.  I was recently exposed to a book called, The Rabbit Effect.  The title comes from an experiment the book tells of where scientist, in an effort to measure the effects of diet on cholesterol, took several groups of rabbits and fed them a high fat diet.  

The experiment’s details are not as important as the unexpected findings.  Evidently one group of rabbits, fed the same diet as another cohort and with the same general age, weight, sex characteristics ended up with a 60% lower cholesterol as their control group.  The scientists were baffled so they doubled checked all the data and tried to come up with a reason for the remarkable difference.  

The author of the book states that as a result of all the double checking and interviewing lab technicians they finally found what they decided was the cause of the difference.  A new lab technician, somewhat unfamiliar with all the protocols, fed the rabbits the controlled diet at the designated time.  But, being new to the lab she was attracted to how cute the rabbits were so when she feed them, she picked them up, cuddled them and spoke gently too them.  

The final determination of the study is that love, attention and caring has a demonstrable healing effect.  

So, why share this cute rabbit story with a group of hurried and harried pharmacy workers.  Because it has been shown, care, kindness and speaking gently with people has a positive effect on health outcomes. 

Much has been said about the importance of clinical competence.  But, the phrase – bedside manner – comes to mind.  Couple that with the the right atmosphere, ambience and general feeling of the Pharmacy and you are likely to get better outcomes.  

Here is a short take asway from the author of the report I read on the book. “The rabbit effect means that when it comes to our health, we’ve been missing some crucial pieces: hidden factors behind what really makes us healthy. There’s a social dimension to health that we’ve completely overlooked in our scramble to find the best and most cutting-edge medical care. Ultimately, what affects our health in the most meaningful ways has as much to do with how we treat one another, how we live, and how we think about what it means to be human than with anything that happens in the doctor’s office.” 

So, while it will be tough, my challenge to you is continue to build your clinical skills and deploy as much technology as makes sense.  Adopt new health care services, like point of care testing or medication synchronization.  But, in all you do, find a way to do it with a personal touch.  Talk to people about their health, and about their life.  And, as they come to know that they are appreciated as people, in your pharmacy, they will get better and be better customers. 

I know it’s a tough challenge, but according to what I just read it will make a difference in your life, the life of your patients and in the health of your practice. 

For more ideas, information or inspiration on how to improve your pharmacy check out my blog at: www.pharmacycrossroads.com  

Here's  hoping this will help you do more and be better.