Having graduated pharmacy school 12 years ago, once in awhile I like to reflect on the education I received and how that had prepared me for my career.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) was a novel concept at Dalhousie in 1997. Revamping an entire program from a didactic, lecture-based format, to peer-group learning was radical at the time. Our accreditation was at risk, which meant that if the new program was not approved, we would face the prospect of having a pharmacy degree without being able to qualify for licensing with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. There were frustrations from the student body that ranged from abject fear to unbridled rage. I was pessimistic about it at the time so I placed myself in the ‘quiet observer’ category, ready to latch on to the group that gained the most steam. Thankfully, the crisis was averted and everyone was able to strap in and enjoy the ride.

As someone who primarily learns through audio/visual means, for the first time I found myself relying heavily on others to teach me. At the beginning of 2nd year, there were plenty of times that weaker members of the tutorial group would miss major points or interpret their learning issues to focus on items that weren’t going to be tested (as a chem major, I was repeatedly guilty of this). This method of learning was completely foreign and paired with a nasty procrastination bug picked up around that time, I was woefully unprepared for any examination questions on material that I had not personally read. The good thing about pharmacy content is that units tend to build and expand on each other. The details of a given disease or drug may change, but the theory doesn’t. As examples, once you’re familiar with organ systems or receptor theory, that foundation is used repeatedly for increasingly complicated disease states. Thankfully, after the 2nd year wake-up call, my process began to work its way out and the rest is history.

At this point you’re probably thinking I have no point. Recounting one’s difficulties which change is pretty boring for the most part but that’s the benefit of reflection: to see qualities in yourself or your peers that really started to flourish during those formative years (although they were unrecognizable at the time).

So what did MY school provide for me?

1) Community – A group of 64 budding professionals from all academic and cultural backgrounds. All of us swimming in the deep end trying to keep each other above the water. I’m proud to say that some of my closest friends, some of whom are supporting these writings, are from that Class of 2001.

2) Independence – Personal responsibility to take care of your own learning needs regardless of what others are doing.

3) Team-work – Rotating teams of 8 were required to work through cases. Some groups had good chemistry and some were quite dysfunctional. All required give and take.

4) Public-Speaking – Teaching others and articulating difficult points doesn’t come naturally to many people. The PBL format forces you to  practice your style in front of your peers, and that confidence shines through in day-to-day patient counseling or hosting clinic events.

5) Evaluation Skills – Whether it be the latest glossy study on anti-hypertensives or determining which members of your peer group provide credible information, PBL helped me to ask questions and be decisive in solving problems.

As the program evolves, I am continually impressed by the calibre of students that Dalhousie continues to graduate each year. They are articulate, personable, and don’t fluster easily. Most are well-prepared to absorb and put into practice any feedback they receive on rotations. Most of all, they seem to genuinely value the patient interactions they have.

I’ve made it a pledge to be more involved with the college in this coming year. I hope to be a lab demonstrator for 4th years in the fall, and recently I’ve been appointed to be the Secretary/Treasurer for the Dalhousie University College of Pharmacy Alumni Division (DUCPAD).

The fact of the matter is, the College and the education it provided has given me my career and, by extension, has contributed greatly to the life I lead. It’s time for me to give back and allow future students to share this pride in our school. This pride will foster continuing improvement in the programs Dalhousie College of Pharmacy is able to provide its students.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.

It’s true. Try as I may, my efforts to find a gripping title meant to lure the reader into literary utopia have been for naught. There you have it, ‘Smoking Cessation’. Full stop.

Today I co-hosted a smoking cessation presentation at work for my fellow employees. There were two people in attendance, so I met the minimum requirement to pluralize ’employee’. Close one there.

Out of approximately 70 employees, half of which are full-time, I was able to interest two individuals into an hour of describing stages of change, discussing coping strategies and re-iterating all the wonderful health benefits of quitting smoking. Four people actually signed up; one bailed at the last minute and another was sick. We had a low-fat meat and cheese tray (har har) and another with assorted veggies that proved to be ever so slightly less popular. It was like an oxymoronic ‘group one-on-one’ session that descended into rambling whenever an awkward pause threatened to become pregnant.

You know what?

It was awesome.

I believe we left an impression on those two individuals. At the end of the session, they had a few more items to think about and some formal perspective on their smoking situation. The presentation was smooth and as always, the discussion generated among the group was invaluable to us as practitioners; we tend to incorporate key comments about successes / challenges of those living the experience into future presentations.

The end realization is that I scheduled and coordinated this event because I wanted to. I wasn’t asked, and I didn’t get any budget breaks or bonuses for its completion.  The fact of the matter is I show up for work every day and see smokers lining the plaza at all hours. Many of these folks have no intention of quitting nor are they interested in exploring the possible options. I certainly don’t begrudge them for that at all. But maybe, just maybe, a few of those folks have really struggled with their attempts to quit and lack any confidence to push through. If I make myself available, and convey that I want to help, perhaps that contact can make a difference.

Here’s hoping the next one, – and yes, there will be a next one 🙂 – , will build off of this and bring the discussion to two more people. If I’m lucky, maybe word of mouth will help the turnout. If I have to do 10 more sessions to help 10 more people, I’ll gladly sign up. As an added bonus, I may even be able to prescribe something for those that ask for help.

I have to say, I’m really enjoying being a pharmacist right now. I hope the ride lasts for awhile yet…

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.