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Pride in your School

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.

http://pharmacy.dal.ca/index.php

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.

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Smoking Cessation (And other Lame, Unimaginative Post Titles)

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.

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The Importance of Messaging and Public Image

Big news recently hit the email inbox. Pharmacists are now able to administer medications, including vaccinations.

I’ll let you read that again to let it sink in…

This puts us on brand-new footing because we are now able to lawfully prescribe, dispense AND administer medication. The possibilities stemming from this announcement have not even begun to be explored, however, we should back up for a second.

HOW do we convey these changes to the public? HOW do we create demand and value for our time? HOW can we leverage this in our dealings with other health professionals?

The actual performing of these new tasks is fairly academic; we receive the proper training or direction, do some repetition to iron out the kinks, and gain confidence with our own clinical styles. It’s the buy-in from other stake-holders that often drive the promotion and uptake of these services. The mere availability of a service means nothing if the consumer doesn’t know to ask for it. If we don’t have support in our practice areas from other sectors of the healthcare system, ultimately patient care may suffer.

As a couple of examples, I point to minor ailments and flu shots. Both are necessary and in many ways overdue. In the case of the former, it will significantly cut down on waiting room visits and allow for more resources to be allocated to major ailments. In the latter, the hope is that more people will have access to the vaccination causing infection rates to drop among the collective. The issue I personally have is in the messaging or ‘talking points’. I’ll try a multiple choice quiz:

1) A patient is exposed to the media promotion for minor ailments, either through the provincial announcements, print or tv advertisements. He/she seeks out a pharmacist with what expectation?

      a) a review of their medication profile (for free) to see what options they have.

      b) a refill on an expired or finished prescription (with applicable copay).

      c) a prescription of their choosing because they self-diagnosed through one of the internets and know exactly what they need (with applicable copay)

      d) an assessment of their condition and recommendation (assessment fee regardless of referral, OTC, or Rx therapy)

2) A patient hears that pharmacists will be able to give flu shots in the fall through a media release. Which scenario best describes the reaction?

      a) Great news, now I don’t have to wait at a doctor’s office. 

      b) How much will it cost me compared to a doctor’s office or flu clinic?

      c) No thank you, I don’t believe in vaccinations. I’ve heard they cause autism.

      d) Wow, now my pharmacist can screen appropriateness of my medication and give it to me in one visit! If I have questions, the drug expert is able to answer them immediately while I get the shot!

Sadly, I reckon the d) answers are few and far between at this moment but hopefully the tide will turn. The point is, the opportunity is so much broader than simply minor ailments and flu shots. We are now able to assess and take responsibility for patients’ health. Any further services that fall under our scope, be it therapeutic substitution, adaptations, emergency fills, performing lab requisitions, etc, all require ASSESSMENTS as a foundation. Similarly, the ‘flu shot‘ is only one small benefit of the fact that we are now able to ADMINISTER medications. This could grow to include all injectable meds (travel vaccines, biologics) or even oral meds down the road (in institutional settings).

If we are able to promote our expanded scope properly, with long-term potential mixed in with short-term wins, we have a shot to be among the most accessible AND versatile health professionals out there. As a consumer, I want to believe that our value to the healthcare system is more than ever before.

Are we sending the right message?

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.
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The Quest for Job Satisfaction – Choose Your Own Adventure

What does job satisfaction mean to you?

-Really-

Have you ever thought about it? Is it the wage you earn or the vacation you accrue? Is it winning arguments with colleagues or landing that huge business opportunity? Is it directing a team or nurturing individuals in their roles? Are you proud of work accomplishments?  Is it the value you provide to the operation/team/public?

Is it all of the above?

True job satisfaction doesn’t seem to follow a formula or template. If it does, I certainly have been looking in the wrong places. My personal adage is simple and goes something like this:

Job satisfaction is not something that anyone can give to you, be it the boss, your colleagues, or your friends. You have to want it, you have to recognize what adds to (or subtracts from) it, and most importantly, you have to feel it.

The quest part represents the fact that we never stop growing, and therefore the source of your personal job satisfaction may evolve over time. Tasks or responsibilities that were once daunting start becoming less of a challenge. The environment you’re in may shift and offer new and exciting opportunities of which you may want to take advantage.

The new pharmacy landscape will offer plenty of potential niches to fill, ledges to reach for, wide open spaces to explore, and peaks to ultimately summit. This quest, should you choose to accept it, requires an open mind and an awareness of current personal or logistical limitations, as they may impact the first direction you choose to go. You may also need a few things:

1) Mentors – folks you look up to and make you think. It’s in their nature to push you places you may not go otherwise.

2) Leaders – Provide a vision for where pharmacy is going. Well-respected in the community and among their peers, they motivate and set the tone for how we may approach perceived barriers (i.e. – public acceptance of pharmacists providing flu shots).

3) Supporters – Colleagues, peers, friends, family. This network forms the glue that keeps your aspirations focused and achievable.  If you need a boost, they’re right behind you and really mitigate the negative slides.

4) Resources – Could be people, but more often it is information. Ask questions, read whatever interests you. Whether it’s renal failure or cancer research, mental health or menopause, stoking those passions will provide insight into what really gets you out of bed in the morning.

So choose your own adventure. Just like the book series, take it a day at a time and when you have a choice to make, be convicted and accept the consequences on the random page you end up flipping to. I for one am looking forward to exploring all the possible endings. Are you?

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Inspiration

It comes in many forms…sometimes it can be subtle, sometimes succinct and other times, it bashes you over the head and leaves you in the alleyway wondering what the next step might be.

The pharmacy climate is changing faster than most of us ever thought possible. Legislation has been tabled in many parts of the country allowing pharmacists to make and own drug-related clinical decisions for patients with the intent of allowing quicker access and better-quality healthcare in all practice settings. With these changes also comes a need to adopt a philosophy towards how we approach drug-related problems; we are no longer simply drug experts to be used as a resource or to provide recommendations, we are entering a realm where we are able to assess independently and have final authority on therapy decisions within our scope. Needless to say, many of us are struggling with whether or not we will be comfortable in our new surroundings and/or will we still excel in our roles as consumer expectations change.

The profession of pharmacy has given me plenty over the last 15 years: an education, a lifestyle, growth opportunities, and a perspective on healthcare that alternates between cynicism and excitement. Most importantly, it has provided me the chance to meet and learn from so many fascinating people. Though not an exhaustive list, there are pharmacists, students, doctors, social workers, nurses, NPs, business people, educators, mentors. Those folks are the real reason behind this blog. I truly believe that the answers to every obstacle are already among the group and are waiting to be discovered through engagement and networking.

That said, this site is intended to be a forum where leaders within our profession can provide opinions, commentary, and brainstorm possible solutions to all things known or unknown. There may be debate, and there may be reality checks, but the tone will be constructive and provocative.

Hopefully, we can inspire each other and ASPIRE to become the practitioners we want to be. The tagline captures the attitude: ‘The practice of pharmacy…On your terms…In your terms’.