Doctors and nurses have long been hailed as those with all the knowledge and answers related to healthcare. Now, however, pharmacists are finding themselves being increasingly mixed into the equation.

An international survey reveals that pharmacists are frequently being questioned by patients about ways to improve their health. Many pharmacists reportedly feel that are expected to give advice more now than ever before. Nearly three-quarters of pharmacists report providing health management services, according to the survey.

International Pharmaceutical Federation CEO Ton Hoek says most pharmacists enjoy their expanded role of being more than just a person who a customer hands over their individual health insurance card to.

"Pharmacists' roles are changing, and we find ourselves increasingly working with patients and other healthcare professionals to prevent and treat disease," said Hoek. "This survey shows that pharmacists welcome this expanded role, as it highlights what they like doing most - helping deliver better patient outcomes - while increasing visibility of pharmacists' expertise."

It's important to patients to realize that while pharmacists are knowledgeable professionals, they are not trained physicians. There are certain situations in which only a doctor should be consulted.

With the economic downturn of the past few years, many Americans have been forced to lower their expenses. In some cases, people have elected to go without certain care because they simply couldn't afford it. Medical care is one area in which some have "cut corners" on in order to make ends meet.

Under the Affordable Care Act, many costs associated with health care will no longer stand as a barrier preventing people from seeing a doctor. Research firm Towers Watson believes that a surge in health care services can be expected.

"In this economic climate, many Americans have delayed or avoided visits to the doctor because they were concerned about the costs they might have to incur," says Towers Watson senior health care consultant Randall Abbott. "Now, covered individuals and their families will not face even nominal financial barriers to preventive care services."

With new health care regulation, more people will qualify for Medicare. For those who don't qualify for Medicare, health care exchanges may prove to be an affordable option for health insurance. Increased regulation of private health insurance companies is also designed to keep costs down.

Medical errors are a serious problem that can lead to death in some cases. Data published in 2002 from the Commonwealth Fund reveals that 8 million American families have experienced a medical or prescription drug error.

Some are remaining optimistic that technology can help reduce the number of medical errors. A product called CarePrescribe is being used by some doctors in Kentucky, which may help reduce mistakes and provide better care.

CarePrescribe allows doctors to electronically view medications and transmit prescriptions.

Humana Pharmacy Solutions vice president William Fleming says technology, such as that offered with CarePrescribe, will lead to better service for consumers.

"We're going to continue driving the adoption of e-prescribing technology because there is a tremendous opportunity to reduce medication errors, improve medication adherence, and impact overall costs," said Fleming. "We're also improving generic drug usage and formulary compliance as well as service at the point of care by having more informed doctors and members."

Medical errors can also be reduced by patients being proactive in their care by monitoring which medications they take and asking their doctor questions. Patients should also be mindful of their health insurance coverage.

From private health insurance plans to government-sponsored programs, there are a lot of changes underway in the country's health care system. Research shows that Americans are feeling optimistic about the future state of health care in the country.

A recent Gallup poll reveals that 40 percent of those surveyed indicated that they had "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the country's medical system. The current optimism levels are hovering around where they were between 1995 and 2006, according to Gallup. During 2003 and 2004, confidence levels grew to 44 percent.

The poll also found that confidence levels in health maintenance organizations remains essentially the same last year, increasing slightly by one point to 19 percent.

Such findings are good news, given the government's efforts to overhaul the healthcare system. Many new provisions under the Affordable Care Act have already been implemented. A number of other provisions are set to take effect in the future, including the requirement that everyone have health insurance in 2014.

Additionally, the poll reveals that Americans are more optimistic about the healthcare system than they are about 11 other institutions, including the U.S. Supreme Court.