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How Will I
Make a Difference in the Pharmacy Profession? 2004
University
of Iowa College of Pharmacy
The light at
the end of the tunnel: Graduation Day! After countless hours of
studying, thousands of dollars invested, hundreds of cans of cola
consumed, several textbooks highlighted, and one brain loaded with
information, I will embark on my journey to become a pharmacist. Not
just any pharmacist, but one who will make a difference. I envision
the shift of focus from the drug to the patient by implementing
pharmaceutical care, educating patients, and volunteering in the community.
Pharmaceutical
Care
Pharmaceutical
care is more than giving the patient their medicine and telling them
about the drug; it is providing information and education to the
patient to improve their quality of life. People look at pharmacists
as the most accessible member of the health care team and protector
of the public from drug misadventuring. The kind of atmosphere I
would like to work in is one where I can sit down with the patient
and investigate what is working for them and what can be done to
progress to a higher level of health.
Marketing this
service will be a challenge, but one I am willing to tackle.
Reimbursement from third party providers in nearly all cases is
directed towards medication. If the medication does not work, or is
duplicated therapy; then the insurance company, the health care
providers, and ultimately the patient have wasted time and money.
Utilizing the therapeutic knowledge I am learning now will allow me
to collaborate with physicians in an effort to provide the best
possible care to the patient while reducing the total cost of health care.
Patient Education
Imagine a
patient who goes to their physician for a check up and ends up being
diagnosed with diabetes. The patient has heard of this disease state
before, but shakes with fear when the physician describes all of the
maintenance that will be necessary so the patient can stay healthy.
The change in diet, the expensive medicines; and if that isn’t
enough, the constant and painful poking of their fingers to test
blood glucose levels. How will this patient ever lead a normal life
again with all of this to worry about?
This is where
I come in, like a hero to save the day; or at least dispel some fears
and show the patient a normal life is possible. I will host clinics
for disease states like diabetes to help the patient understand their
diagnosis. At these clinics, I will update them on the new
medications and new technologies available that can help manage their
illness. Spending extra time with these patients will increase
medication compliance and improve the quality of life.
Volunteering
Helping people
is such a wonderful feeling. This is one of the reasons I decided to
study pharmacy. While completing my coursework, I have had the
opportunity to volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic of Iowa City. At
this clinic, people can receive health care and medication at no
cost. Without people volunteering their time to run this clinic and
manufacturers and businesses donating medications, thousands of
people would suffer and hundreds could die.
Upon
graduation, I plan to volunteer many hours to help those less
fortunate. Additionally, I want to get others involved in
volunteering, regardless if it is at a medical clinic or being a role
model to a child. So many programs would disappear without
volunteers, like United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
It is amazing how a few hours of your time can change the lives of so
many people.
By focusing
more on the patient than the drug, teaching people, and giving back
to the community, I will make a difference in numerous lives. For
now, though, I will keep on track through the tunnel and look for
that light which will signal the start of a brand new expedition. |
