Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Lars-Åke Söderlund, Part 2: Balancing different stakeholders

What strategies do you find most effective in engaging government and policy makers in discussions about pharmacy-related issues?Engaging government and policymakers in discussions about pharmacy-related issues requires strategic and multifaceted approaches. One effective strategy is building strong relationships with policymakers through consistent and proactive communication. I recently (February 2024) spoke at the Swedish government about the future of primary healthcare – with pharmacy as an integrated actor. This has now led to lots of activities for developing primary healthcare with support from community pharmacy.Pharmacists and our representatives should regularly meet with legislators, attend town hall meetings, and participate in policy forums to ensure our voices are heard.Additionally, providing policymakers with clear, evidence-based data that highlights the value and impact of pharmacist interventions on patient outcomes and healthcare costs is crucial. Another key strategy is leveraging patient stories and testimonials to humanize the issues and illustrate the real-world benefits of pharmacist-led care.Collaborating with other healthcare organizations and forming coalitions also amplifies the advocacy message and demonstrate a united front. Lastly, engaging in grassroots advocacy by mobilizing patients and community members to support pharmacy-related initiatives can and will significantly influence policymakers' perspectives and decisions. I have personally experienced this a lot!How do you balance the interests and needs of different stakeholders within your advocacy work? How do you foster collaboration and unity among diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and goals?Balancing the interests and needs of different stakeholders within advocacy work requires a nuanced and inclusive approach. It begins with actively listening to and understanding the perspectives of all parties involved, from patients and healthcare providers to policymakers and industry representatives. Prioritizing open communication and transparency helps build trust and ensures that everyone's concerns are acknowledged and addressed. Finding common ground is essential; identifying shared goals, such as improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare accessibility, can help align diverse interests.Fostering collaboration and unity among stakeholders with varying priorities and goals involves creating platforms for dialogue and cooperation. Regular meetings, joint workshops, and collaborative projects can facilitate understanding and partnership. Establishing clear, mutual objectives and developing a shared vision can guide efforts and ensure that all stakeholders are working towards a common purpose – this has been evident when we – via a government initiated project – during the last years in Sweden have been discussing and implementing remunerated pharmacy services in community pharmacy Additionally, highlighting the interdependence of stakeholders and the benefits of a united approach can motivate collaboration. Celebrating collective successes and recognizing the contributions of each stakeholder also strengthens unity and encourages continued cooperation.What advice would you give to young pharmacy professionals who are passionate about advocacy and want to make a difference in the field?For young pharmacy professionals passionate about advocacy, several key pieces of advice can help them make a significant impact in the field. First, continually educate yourself about the latest developments in pharmacy practice, healthcare policies, and legislative changes. Staying informed will enable you to speak knowledgeably and credibly about the issues that matter most.Next, get involved with professional organizations and advocacy groups. These platforms offer valuable networking opportunities, resources, and support for your advocacy efforts. By participating actively, you can connect with experienced mentors, learn effective advocacy strategies, and collaborate with like-minded professionals.Building strong relationships with stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers, is crucial. Develop your communication skills to articulate the value of pharmacists effectively. Share evidence-based data and real-world examples to demonstrate how pharmacists improve patient outcomes and enhance the healthcare system.Take advantage of social media and other digital tools to amplify your message. These platforms allow you to reach a broader audience, raise awareness about critical issues, and mobilize support for your advocacy initiatives.Lastly, be persistent and patient. Advocacy work can be challenging and progress may be slow, but your efforts are essential for driving change. Stay committed to your cause, continue learning and adapting, and remember that even small steps forward contribute to larger, long-term advancements in the field of pharmacy.Can you highlight any current or upcoming initiatives that you are particularly excited about in your advocacy work?Certainly! One exciting current initiative in pharmacy advocacy is the push for recognizing pharmacists as healthcare providers, allowing us to bill for clinical services such as medication management, chronic disease management, and preventive care. These initiatives have the potential to significantly expand access to pharmacist-led care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce overall healthcare costs.Another initiative gaining momentum is the integration of pharmacists into interdisciplinary healthcare teams within value-based care models. These models focus on improving the quality of care while reducing costs, and pharmacists play a crucial role in optimizing medication use and managing chronic conditions. By showcasing successful pilot programs and collecting data on their impact, advocates are working to expand these models nationally. In this perspective, I find the work by FIP as crucial.Telepharmacy is also a burgeoning area of advocacy. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of telehealth services, and there is a growing effort to ensure that telepharmacy remains a permanent option for patients. This includes advocating for regulatory changes that allow pharmacists to provide remote consultations, medication therapy management, and other clinical services via telehealth platforms.Furthermore, there is a significant push towards addressing health disparities and improving access to care in underserved communities. Initiatives focusing on expanding pharmacy services in rural and low-income areas, as well as advocating for policies that support equitable healthcare access, are gaining traction. These efforts aim to leverage the accessibility and expertise of pharmacists to bridge gaps in care and promote health equity.A FIP project about creating a ‘Roadmap for community pharmacy in Latin America’ is also super exciting.Lastly, the advocacy for enhanced roles of pharmacists in public health initiatives, such as vaccination programs and opioid stewardship, is particularly promising. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to lead efforts in immunization and medication safety, and ongoing advocacy seeks to solidify and expand their role in these critical public health areas.I think these initiatives represent a dynamic and impactful direction for pharmacy advocacy, with the potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes significantly.What personal qualities or experiences do you believe have been most instrumental in your success as an advocacy leader?The personal qualities and experiences that have been most instrumental in my success as an advocacy leader revolve around a deep passion for healthcare and for patients, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a genuine desire to make a difference (community pharmacy perceived as a positive force in our societies). My journey began with a profound interest in pharmacy and its potential to improve patient outcomes and healthcare. This passion fuelled my dedication to the profession and my drive to advocate for its advancement.A critical quality has been my ability to communicate effectively. Advocacy requires the skill to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively, whether speaking to policymakers, healthcare professionals, or the public. Over the years, I have honed my communication skills through public speaking engagements, writing articles, and participating in policy discussions, which have all been crucial in conveying the importance of pharmacists' roles in healthcare.Resilience and persistence have also played significant roles. Advocacy work often involves facing setbacks and slow progress. My ability to stay focused on long-term goals, maintain enthusiasm, and continually push forward despite challenges has been vital. This resilience is coupled with adaptability, allowing me to navigate the ever-changing landscape of healthcare policies and regulations.Building strong relationships and networks has been another key factor. Engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including fellow pharmacists, healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers, has provided invaluable insights and support. These connections have not only broadened my perspective but have also strengthened our collective advocacy efforts.Finally, my commitment to continuous learning and professional development has been indispensable. Staying informed about the latest developments in pharmacy practice, healthcare trends, and policy changes ensures that my advocacy efforts are relevant and impactful. Attending the FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences more or less annually since 1989, participating in workshops, and engaging in ongoing education have all been essential in maintaining a high level of expertise and effectiveness in my advocacy work.These personal qualities and experiences have collectively empowered me to lead advocacy efforts successfully, champion the role of pharmacists, and contribute to meaningful improvements in healthcare.Looking back on your career, is there anything you would do differently, or any key lessons you have learned along the way? Well, I expected that question. I love being a pharmacist – it is not just a job or a profession, it is an all-encompassing lifestyle – and not only for me, but for the entire family. It is for the strong of will and conviction and for the soul tender enough to appreciate the deep-rooted pain of human suffering. Pharmacy has nourished my mind and my soul. It has made me a more caring, considerate, and tougher person. Pharmacy has not been my chosen career (although it has), pharmacy has been my life. And now we are seven persons in the family working with pharmacy! I am so happy to have chosen to be a pharmacist. And I have experienced how community pharmacy is a ‘positive force in our societies’. A force that has grown and become bigger and more important, year after year, benefitting our health systems and our patients/consumers. And a force that is constantly growing thanks to FIP. My affiliation with FIP has exposed me to the broader global pharmacy perspective, which has been and is good for me personally and professionally. I hope that I have been to share that perspective at home and in other countries. Here is another of my mottos: Pharmacy – always trusted for your health. Think health, think pharmacy!What advice would you give to colleagues who want to participate in advocacy efforts or initiatives?Firstly, educate yourself about the issues at hand. Understanding the nuances of healthcare policies, the challenges facing the pharmacy profession, and the needs of the communities you serve is crucial. Read up on current legislation, attend seminars, and follow relevant news to stay informed. This knowledge will enable you to speak confidently and persuasively about the importance of pharmacy-related issues.Secondly, get involved with professional organizations. These groups offer a wealth of resources, networking opportunities, and platforms for advocacy. Join local, state, or national pharmacy associations, and participate in their meetings, conferences, and advocacy days. These organizations often have established channels for communicating with policymakers and can provide guidance on how to effectively advocate for your cause.Build relationships with stakeholders. Advocacy is as much about who you know as what you know. Establish connections with other healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders. Engage in regular communication, attend town hall meetings, and schedule visits to your representatives. Personal relationships can be influential in gaining support for your initiatives.Develop your communication skills. Being able to articulate your message clearly and compellingly is essential. Practice public speaking, writing opinion pieces, and using social media to spread your message. Tailor your communication to different audiences, ensuring that you can explain complex issues in an accessible way.Leverage data and patient stories. Use evidence-based data to support your advocacy efforts, demonstrating the impact of pharmacists on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Complement this data with real-world patient stories that highlight the tangible benefits of pharmacist-led care. These narratives can be powerful tools in persuading policymakers and the public.Collaborate with others. Advocacy is often more effective when done collectively. Form alliances with other healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and community organizations. A united front can amplify your message and demonstrate widespread support for your cause.Be persistent and patient. Advocacy work can be slow and challenging, with progress often measured in small increments. Stay committed to your goals, even in the face of setbacks. Celebrate small victories and keep pushing forward, knowing that your efforts contribute to long-term change.Lastly, seek mentorship and support. Find experienced advocates who can offer guidance and encouragement. Having a mentor can provide valuable insights and help you navigate the complexities of advocacy work.By educating yourself, building relationships, honing your communication skills, leveraging data, collaborating, being persistent, and seeking mentorship, you can make a significant impact in advocacy efforts and help advance the role of pharmacists in healthcare.Sherif Guorgui - FIP-Community Pharmacy Section | LinkedIn

Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Lars-Åke Söderlund, Part 2: Balancing different stakeholders

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