Pharmacy public relations at a small rural hospital

Pharmacy public relations at a 130-bed rural hospital are described. Pharmacists at this hospital worked through their public relations department to promote a favorable public image for the institution by staffing information booths at public gatherings, writing articles for local newspapers on health-related issues, writing and recording public-service announcements for radio and television, and making presentations at local church and civic organizations. These activities also focused on the hospital pharmacists' role as medication specialists. Within the hospital, pharmacists have used displays to explain pharmacy matters to physicians and nurses. Through external and internal public-relations projects, the role of the hospital pharmacist can be promoted.