As a pharmacist, you’re required to make decisions, even when the outcomes are not so clear. This is where your professional judgement comes into play. There are four key factors that apply when exercising your professional judgment:

1. Taking actions in the patient’s best interest: Actions and decisions must always be made from the perspective of what is in the best interest of the patient. Ask yourself “What does the patient need to optimize their health outcome?”

2. Applying knowledge and expertise: Apply the range of knowledge and experience gained through clinical practice to the information gathered from your assessment and dialogue with the patient to guide your decision-making.

3. Reasonable and acceptable: Decisions are often required immediately with no time for consultation with a colleague. To help validate if your decision is reasonable and acceptable, ask yourself "Would a peer make a similar decision, given the same circumstances?"

4. Documenting the rationale and actions: Documenting decision-making is critical. When considering how much detail to include ask yourself “What information would a colleague need to know in order to clearly understand what I did and why?

The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are two of your most important tools when faced with using your professional judgement. To learn more about the four key factors described above, please reference the article, “Using Professional Judgement Key to Implementing Expanded Scope.”