How Pharmacy Matches Perfectly With Nutrition
Known as “The Nutrition Pharmacist,” Sarah Gray, PharmD, GAICD, recently joined Drug Topics to discuss her dual profession within health care.
As the most frontward facing providers within health care, pharmacists are constantly looking for more ways to expand their ability to treat patients and serve the greater community. With expertise in medication first, as well as a unique ability to manage patients and garner meaningful relationships that result in better health outcomes, pharmacists have served as a bridge between health care and the patients who receive it.
Pharmacists’ expertise in medication has given them the ability to manage various disease states, procuring medication management regimens that ensure successful health outcomes in patients with diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and so much more. But for individuals without comorbidities simply looking to improve their overall health and lifestyle, a certified nutritionist may be their best option for counsel.
However, pharmacists with a desire to become experts in nutrition—according to Sarah Gray, PharmD, GAICD, also known as The Nutrition Pharmacist—have the ability to stand out even more among other providers and be a crucial source of guidance for any patient looking to improve their lifestyle.
“The combination of pharmacy and nutrition is a match made in heaven. For me, pharmacists have such great skills across many areas,” she said. “I think the key [area] I've found that really matches well with nutrition is our great patient-interviewing skills and being able to really consider all factors of a patient's life; so what medications they're taking, what medical conditions [and] symptoms they have. Now, adding the nutrition side, I can get a really good picture of all the areas of the person's health.”
Gray joined Drug Topics to discuss her career journey, starting as a pharmacist and eventually pivoting to nutrition counseling and helping patients with their lifestyle journeys. She then explored overarching opportunities for pharmacists to expand their roles within health care. According to her, the opportunities are endless within pharmacy because of the profession’s wide range of continuously increasing knowledge.
“Don't be afraid to add things in that might seem a bit strange, but also, as a pharmacist itself, you don't need anything else, really. You can offer so much to people as a profession,” she said.
READ MORE: Obesity Management Resource Center
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