What I Learned at the APhA Travel Health Services Training Program (And Why You Should Attend Trainings Like It!)
/At the end of September, I took APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Travel Health Services Advanced Competency Training Program. I traveled up to the Bay Area from Southern California to take the class in Oakland - because learning is always more fun when combined with traveling!
I learned so much at the training. Here are the highlights:
Travel health is basically risk management. Pharmacists can help educate patients about the risks associated with travel and what to do when they occur.
It’s not just about traveler’s diarrhea (although this accounts for 50% of diseases spread by food and water). Don’t forget about motion sickness, jet lag and altitude sickness when counseling patients who are traveling. Also, consider special precautions for different patient populations like pregnant travelers or those with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Be sure to cover the who, what, where, when, why and how during your consultation:
Who will be traveling? Always treat the individual patient as everyone has different needs based on age, gender, medical history and vaccination history.
Where are they traveling? Every country has different risks and requirements. Urban cities will also have different risks vs. rural areas.
What will they be doing? Some activities are riskier than others, like hiking or getting a tattoo.
Why are they traveling? There are different considerations for business travelers vs. missionary workers, for example.
When are they traveling? Duration of travel as well as the season can affect travel needs.
How will they be traveling? Traveling by boat or car might have different risks than travel by plane. Recommendations can also be different for travelers staying in a hotel stay vs. those camping.
Patients there for a travel consultation will have other concerns. Educate yourself and be prepared for questions about voltage, visa requirements, currency and more.
Travel consultations are a great way to upsell OTC products. Carry things patients traveling might need - like sunscreen, insect repellent, and travel-sized products.
Look out for opportunities to market travel health services in your pharmacy. Talk to patients who request for early refills for travel or are filling prescriptions for a short duration of ciprofloxacin or azithromycin.
To be honest, these kind of certificate training programs can be pricey - this one was $400. However, if you can afford it, I do believe they can be a good investment if you are truly committed to starting a new service in your pharmacy because you can:
Increase revenue
Attract new patients
Offer existing patients a better experience and care
I would recommend pharmacists offer more clinical services in their pharmacy. In California, we have a unique opportunity to leverage the expanding scope of practice. I think it’s especially important in this saturated job market.
The more skills you have, the more you can:
Stand out from your peers
Be qualified for more job opportunities
Be eligible for promotions and pay raises
Look out for my ebook on starting Pharmacy Travel Health Services coming soon!
