What should be done after the initiation of therapy?

After initiating therapy, the most crucial step is to monitor the patient’s response and adjust treatment as necessary. This process involves assessing the patient's progress, checking for any side effects, and determining if the medication is achieving its intended effects. Continuous monitoring allows healthcare providers to make timely adjustments to dosages or medications, ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes and reducing the risk of adverse effects.

Monitoring the patient closely after beginning therapy is essential in implementing personalized care and improving adherence to the treatment plan. This ongoing evaluation can inform whether the initial therapy is effective or if modifications are required to better meet the patient's needs. In contrast, simply waiting until the next appointment to check or contacting the pharmacy only does not provide immediate feedback on the therapy's effectiveness and could delay necessary changes. Seeking permission to change medications may not be practical if immediate adjustments are warranted based on the patient's response. Therefore, proactive monitoring and adjusting are fundamental components of effective patient care following the initiation of therapy.