NPCC as an opportunity for growth

Grace Riggs is a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy.

Patient counseling is arguably the most important skill pharmacists need to possess. I currently intern in the outpatient setting, where consulting patients on their new discharge medications is part of my daily routine, so I decided to enter the 2024 APhA–ASP National Patient Counseling Competition (NPCC) in order to assess my consultation skills and look for areas where I can improve.

Building on a strong foundation

Practicing consultation skills in the setting of the standardized patient is very beneficial, as it provides the opportunity to try different communication techniques and see what works best to connect with different patient populations. My time at University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy has afforded me numerous opportunities to hone these skills, so I went into the competition at APhA’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Orlando knowing that I had a strong foundation on which to build.

Before each round, I knew it was important to take a deep breath and remember that each interaction is supposed to be an opportunity to better yourself as a pharmacist. Progression through each round got increasingly complex, so I kept my focus on putting the patient first to ensure that the encounter went smoothly.

When I heard my name announced as the winner at the awards ceremony, I was ecstatic! All of the finalists this year were excellent, and I felt very honored that my performance was recognized and that I got to represent my school on the national stage. I am so grateful that I’ve had the chance to attend such a great program and work with so many fantastic mentors and faculty who have set me up for success not only in this competition, but for my future as a pharmacist.

Empowering patients

Effective communication fosters trust and empowers patients to actively participate in their treatment plans, leading to improved medication adherence and health outcomes. Pharmacists must adeptly navigate diverse patient needs, from explaining complex medication interactions to providing empathetic support during times of uncertainty. Ultimately, our ability to communicate clearly and compassionately directly impacts patient safety, satisfaction, and overall well-being, underscoring the importance of honing our exceptional communication skills in the pharmacy profession.

I urge you to enter future NPCCs, as it’s an excellent opportunity to test yourself and look for areas of improvement. Refining these skills at this point in your career will set you up for future success as practitioners in the profession and ensure that pharmacists are invaluable resources to all patients.

NPCC Top 10

Winner: Grace Riggs, University of California, San Diego

1st Runner-up: Clara Macheras, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis

2nd Runner-up: Makenzie Chapman, Presbyterian College

Ahmed Bahjri, Loma Linda University

Brianna Burke, University of New England

Jennifer Erickson, Medical College of Wisconsin

Anneliese Harp, University of Pittsburgh

Seth Meyer, Lipscomb University

Valeria Ortiz Torres, University of Utah

Hope Schier, University of Wisconsin–Madison