Regular readers of this blog have noticed a pronounced swing towards travel and personal interest pieces. The 10-part Odyssey was borne out of a desire to relive my recent trip to the US last August whilst learning and sharing various anecdotes along the way. This was never intended to be a permanent shift.

This is not a travel blog, but rather a pharmacist who happens to be writing about travel.

Let me explain…

It has been over a year now since my pharmacy career was interrupted. Using a simple sports team analogy, there was a change in strategy. I was summarily substituted from my role and took my place on the sidelines.

When I wrote Changes & Choices, it was about embracing the opportunity to evolve and grow in unexpected ways. It was about feeling those nerves when attempting a new task or planning a large project. It was about surrounding myself with supporting voices that cheered and challenged, lifted the spirits and tempered the expectations. It is a huge relief to have mentors for strength and guidance through the emotional whirlwind. They continue to keep me hungry and excited for what’s next.

Part of this sabbatical was to take a long, hard look at my track record to date; as an employee for sure, but also as a father, son, brother, spouse, and friend. How has my career trajectory impacted those around me, and my own sense of self? How have I adapted through the years, mentally and physically? How did I foster leadership with my teams, and how did I ask for support from my leaders when I was struggling?

This trip was emblematic of that reflection. Taking two plus weeks off in the middle of August was not something I had ever done before, as a relief pharmacist, as a manager or in any of my corporate roles. When there was vacation, often it came with frequent email and text check-ins to arrange coverage and respond to emergencies. This time the focus was on my parents, my fiancée, and enjoying every adventure along the way. The people we met, the towns we explored, the places where we ate, and all the miles in between were healing in so many ways. Those memories are forever, and brought out the best in me.

Truth be told, this blog was borne out of a similar reflection 12 years earlier (I repeat….12 YEARS). At that time, I made the decision to take a step back from a middle management pharmacy role and return to the front lines. The practice of prescribing was new for the profession and many pharmacists were grappling with the ethical dilemma of both prescribing and dispensing medication. Seeing your name on a prescription vial really was a vital step to owning the process. With turf battles being waged with other professional associations and exacting reimbursement criteria, confusion reigned for a time. On this front, I had a conservative approach; focusing on the diagnostic assessment as opposed to the resulting prescription felt like a solid starting point. The valid counter to this was to take the narrow expansion of scope and identify patients who would benefit. For example, we could now prescribe for cold sores, so cruising the OTC aisle for customers asking for Abreva or Lipactin would provide an opportunity for a consult and to educate the public at the same time. Stomach and sleep remedies were also popular. Unfortunately, the general assessment itself was not subject to funding, but was instead tied to specific prescribing activities.

The issue was quite simple: the operational side of me was aware of the possibilities that would come with dogged execution of our newfound abilities, but the burgeoning clinician in me wasn’t ready to take the plunge. I needed to be confident in my own practice before coaching others to navigate the change. It was tough to step down the ladder, but it was necessary and allowed me to be more effective when I received the chance again.

So here I am on replay, but this time I have a better idea of my strengths and weaknesses. I have explored different work environments and practice settings, if only to see if I can picture myself thriving in different roles. I have become more involved in advocacy and regulatory committee work, so It’s not a question of if…it’s when! The pharmacy profession continues to be a huge part of who I am, and want nothing more than to continue my contributions.

Therefore this pharmacy blog shall continue…and I can’t wait for that next piece of inspiration.

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.