Exploring Synergies In Healthcare: Insights From Dental Assistants, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Physicians And Anaesthesia Technicians

Abstract

Healthcare delivery increasingly relies on teams of professionals from different disciplines working together. Prior studies show interprofessional collaboration improves patient safety, treatment adherence, chronic disease management, and cost-effectiveness.

A search of PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science databases was conducted using the terms "dental assistants", "pharmacists", "pharmacy technicians", "physicians", "anesthesia technicians", "team-based care" and "interprofessional collaboration" to identify relevant articles published between 2010-2022.

Professional organization websites including the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) were also reviewed for reports and guidelines. Additional sources included industry reports from The Joint Commission (TJC) and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Only peer-reviewed articles, reports from reputable organizations, and publications from .edu or .gov domains were included.

The literature search yielded 25 relevant articles and reports. Key findings on best practices and opportunities for collaboration included: team-based care led by physicians with input from dental assistants on procedures, pharmacists on medications, and anesthesia technicians on anesthesia plans improved treatment planning and management of patient comorbidities.

Pharmacists providing medication therapy management and pharmacy technicians assisting with inventory and administration under pharmacist supervision helped address patients' medication-related needs and questions. 

Dental assistants educated patients on post-procedure home care under the guidance of dentists and pharmacists who clarified medication instructions. Anesthesia technicians collaborated with operating room nurses and pharmacists to prepare and maintain anesthesia carts and emergency drug boxes, ensuring proper equipment, supplies and medications were available.

However, challenges reported included lack of: standardized processes, role clarity, interprofessional education, and prioritization of collaboration due to reimbursement structures favoring single professions.

The literature demonstrates benefits of synergistic team-based care leveraging the complementary skills, expertise and perspectives of dental assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physicians and anesthesia technicians. However, optimizing collaboration requires addressing systemic, cultural and educational barriers.

Dental assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physicians and anesthesia technicians each bring value to healthcare delivery. By clarifying roles, establishing trust through education and experience-sharing, and aligning reimbursement structures, these professionals can leverage their synergies to enhance patient care, outcomes and experience. Formalizing collaborative best practices through protocols and care coordination agreements provides a framework for multdisciplinary teams to operate at top efficiency and support whole-person hlth.