In communities like Lloydminster, accessing timely, co-ordinated care isn’t always easy, leaving many residents with gaps in support when seeking weight management and overall health guidance.
Read more: 13U AA Pirates pick up silver in provincials at home park
In fact, 14 per cent of Alberta residents report not having a family doctor and 31 per cent report difficulty accessing their current physician — underscoring a growing need for creative solutions.
To tackle this challenge, health-care systems across Alberta are increasingly moving toward integrated, team-based approaches that improve access and co-ordination for patients.
The virtual Weight Management Program at Shoppers Drug Mart is one example of how this integrated model brings together different health professionals, including pharmacists, to provide continuous, co-ordinated support.
Obesity is a chronic disease and a key driver of other health conditions. As many Canadians continue to face barriers to accessing primary care, expanding access to treatment and ongoing guidance is critical.
I often receive questions about available support options. Here is how this team-based approach works in practice for weight management:
- Starting with a full picture of your health: The journey begins with a virtual assessment and consultation with a nurse practitioner, who reviews medical history, current medications, lifestyle and goals. As part of the program, pharmacists provide ongoing support, answer medication questions and reinforce the care plan during in-person visits at the local pharmacy.
- Medical guidance when and where it’s needed: When clinically appropriate, nurse practitioners can prescribe weight management medication as part of a personalized care plan to help patients reach their health goals.
- Practical, personalized nutrition support: Nutrition advice must work in real life. As part of the care team, patients meet virtually with a registered dietitian to receive personalized guidance and build realistic, sustainable eating habits that reflect their preferences, routines and cultural considerations.
- Building habits that stick: Weight management goes beyond food; it is also about day-to-day routines, including sleep, stress and physical activity. That is why our advice focuses on small, manageable lifestyle changes that can be maintained over time, rather than quick fixes.
- Ongoing support, not one-time advice: Weight management isn’t a single conversation—it is an ongoing process. As pharmacists, we draw from our obesity care training to answer medication-related questions and provide guidance that helps patients stay on track. Working alongside nurse practitioners and dietitians, this team approach ensures care feels connected rather than fragmented, setting patients up for long-term success.
In a health-care system where access to primary care isn’t always consistent, integrated care teams help bridge the gap. This is especially vital in weight management, where pharmacists, nurse practitioners and dietitians can ensure care remains responsive over time.
If you are exploring weight management support, speaking with your local pharmacist is a helpful first step in understanding your options and connecting to the right care.
Asad Gavahi Kashani is a pharmacist and associate-owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in Lloydminster. Visit ShoppersDrugMart.ca/weight to learn more or find a local pharmacy.
Read more: Battlefords crime index surges as RCMP handle over 2,400 July calls
