What is the two-fold purpose of patient education in pharmacy practice?

The primary purpose of patient education in pharmacy practice is to improve adherence and empower patients to manage their health effectively. When pharmacists engage in patient education, they provide crucial information about medications, including how to take them correctly, potential side effects, and the importance of adhering to prescribed therapy. This enhances the patient's understanding and encourages them to follow their treatment plans, leading to better health outcomes.

Empowerment is also a key component; when patients are educated about their conditions and treatments, they become active participants in their healthcare. This proactive involvement fosters a sense of responsibility and confidence, which can lead to improved self-management of chronic diseases and overall health.

The other options, while they may touch on aspects of pharmacy practice, do not capture the comprehensive nature of patient education's role in promoting health and improving therapeutic outcomes. For example, while reducing costs and improving workflow are beneficial, they are not the primary focus of patient education. Similarly, training patients on pharmacy operations or ensuring compliance with insurance requirements does not directly address the essential goal of enhancing patient knowledge and autonomy regarding their health and medication management.