Physician medication dispensing has become a more and more attractive option for clinics and doctors' offices seeking to reduce overhead and maximize profits. However, in order to make it a successful venture, a physician must fully integrate the system into their practice. Otherwise, it will fail.

Strong physician leadership is one of the most crucial elements of physician medication dispensing. As with any new office venture, everyone in the office must adapt to it. To ensure that happens, a physician must lead, and the office staff must provide the support system.

If one person begins to contradict the physician dispensing system, others will follow. When the team loses supporting members, the use of the system falls by the wayside.

Without physician leadership, the team has lost its strongest member. It would be equal to a quarterback leaving the game at half time. The team could not continue if the leadership were gone.

The following are important things to remember when adding physician in-office dispensing to your practice.

Communicate and adapt

It's been said many times before, but communication and adaptability are vital parts of physician leadership in dispensing. For many people, it's not just the system that's a change, but the whole idea of dispensing. When the system is fully implemented and used correctly, however, it is a beneficial change.

Procedures, roles and changes must be clearly communicated, and all staff members must understand them. If any problems and issues arise, it is important these problems are discussed and resolved between the leading physician and the staff members.

Maintain the team

Everyone must be open-minded and ready to train. When one person remains unchangeable, the process of integrating physician dispensing into the practice becomes cumbersome.

A strong leader will encourage those who are resistant to come to him with any problems or concerns they have, and will do his best to address those concerns.

Procedures for set-up

Physicians who desire to dispense should first contact the dispensing company they plan to use. A knowledgeable company will meet early on with the physician in their practice to help them determine the best methods and placement to ensure maximum success with their dispensing service. This is also the time to meet with the staff and help them overcome any doubts or concerns they have at the onset.

One final word

Physician dispensing is an added benefit to any practice, but it is not a magic wand. The learning process is a necessary step to effectively provide patients with the medications the physician prescribes. Any physician who wants to start dispensing needs to choose a dispensing company that will work with them every step of the way, even after they dispense the first medication.