First Year Pharmacy Experience - Essay Example

Reflective Essay: First Year Pharmacy Experience In our increasingly complex and complicated contemporary world, there are just a limited few who arevastly and genuinely interested in a career in pharmacy. The concept of being an expert in medicines encompasses theories of delivering efficient health care services and priorities on community service rather than self-interests. Anyone dedicated to delivering work and service in the pursuit of public health interest and common good is a potential candidate for a career in pharmacy. I have always been intrigued by the interrelated concepts and dimensions that influence the holistic development of medicines. It is a field of endeavor with vast opportunities and challenges which can shape and direct ways to hone skills to prepare one to pursue various roles and opportunities in the health care setting. My personal experience during my first year delving into the academic requirements to pursue a career in pharmacy was both challenging and rewarding. This essay is hereby written with the objective of reflecting on the learning objectives and assessing my personal progress vis-à-vis these goals. Learning objectives The first year in pharmacy aims to equip students with a sound and balanced theoretical background in the fields of biological, physical, and chemical sciences in preparation for more detailed orientations in the following areas: the relevant role of pharmacists in ensuring that patients benefit from the pharmaceutical intervention, constituents of medicines and the interactions with chemical and biological systems, the design and manufacture of medicines, the uses and actions of drugs and medicines, an introductory orientation to the practice of pharmacy in hospitals, among others. I am fortunate to have graduated with a degree in pharmacology. “Pharmacology is an essential component in the study of pharmacy and is included as one of the six major areas of instruction in the pharmacy degree curriculum” (PharmCAS, 2009, par. 2). In this regard, it provided me with the privilege of an ease in understanding better the lecture materials discussed and the laboratory works conducted. My career goal is to become a community pharmacist. “A community pharmacist works according to legal and ethical guidelines to ensure the correct and safe supply of medical products to the general public. They are involved in maintaining and improving peoples health by providing advice and information as well as supplying prescription medicines.” (Graduate Prospects, 2010, par. 1) I would like to be instrumental in ensuring that correct pharmaceutical interventions are accorded to the community and enable them to avail of the best health advice and information to improve their health status. Participation in Programs and Activities There is a session in interproffesional teamworking within the setting of the National Health Service (NHS) with particular reference to inter professional communication which was a requirement for us to attend. The objectives stated: being able to understand the context within which health and social care in the UK takes place; describing the likely range of health and social care needs of the patient in this case study; discussing the contribution of different health and social work proffesions to meeting the care needs of this patient; identifing overlaps in care provision and discuss how these might be resolved; working productively and responsibly as part of a multi – disciplinary group; and recognizing the importance of: mutual respect, recognition of the contribution and skills of other professionals, and good communication, in multi – disciplinary work. The relevance of working with other members of the health team including consultants in microbiology and internal care units, medical teams, surgical teams, nurses, other pharmacists and even the trust board cannot be overemphasized. Their diverse roles make it necessary to gain skills and competence in diverse areas to familiarize themselves with the link and interrelationships with the responsibilities of other team members in the delivery of health care services. In addition, there was a one day placement in pharmacy showing how pharmacy works. The following relevant outcomes were achieved, to wit: learning how Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs to individuals, how do they advise their patients, physicians, and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications, ways on how pharmacy services beyond traditional ‘office hours’, how to improve performance in terms of quality and frequency of medication review throughout the Trust, and determined how everything is well organized to provide the best services and the very safe to patients. These activities are helpful in providing additional insights on theories and relating them to practical applications in the hospital setting. In actually prepares potential pharmacists to the career they dream to actively pursue. Specific Developments The modules were successful in instilling the fact that pharmacists have critical and relevant contribution to the promotion of good health and to prevent diseases among their numerous patients. In fact, I was made fully aware of the pharmacists’ commitment which is to “achieve positive outcomes from the use of medication that improves patients quality of life with minimum risk. Pharmacists are professionals, uniquely prepared and available, committed to public service and to the achievement of the followings goals. Pharmacists strive to: cure disease; eliminate or reduce symptoms; arrest or slow a disease process; prevent disease; diagnose disease; and alter physiological processes for desirable result in the patients health” (PharmCAS, 2009, par. 7). As a result, my first year experience confirmed my burning desire to graduate with a degree in pharmacy to improve the lives of people, especially those in pain and need immediate relief through pharmaceutical interventions. Evaluation and outcome With the activities that I actively participated into, I am aware that I have gained more perspectives in the field of pharmacy. The interproffessional teamworking is very important in recognizing the diverse roles that each health care practitioners play in the delivery of health care service to the patients. Each specific role is necessary to diagnose the accurate epidemiology of the illness and each practitioners’ input is a link towards the promotion of improved health. My previous degree in pharmacology, however, has both advantages and disadvantages in my first year in pharmacy. Although it provided me with a clear and higher perspective on the topic of drugs, I sometimes presume prior to the lecture that I am already adept on the subject. However, still taking it from the point of view of a pharmacist, the pharmacological theories and concepts prove to be beneficial and advantageous in practical applications in the hospital setting. The advances in medical technology provide opportunities to discover new and potent drugs which were never readily available or known to cure contemporary diseases. As a pharmacologist with a vision for a career in pharmacy, the opportunities to serve in the advancement of drug interventions are countless. The key component gained from the one year learning experience was that students should always keep their options open for various opportunities that they can avail. Likewise, the secret to success is to keep on learning new things, gain as much experience as possible, and to obtain more specializations in the field with the ultimate goal of serving the health needs of the public. Conclusion The benefits that the degree in pharmacy accords is to emphasize that public health respond to change and is a necessary component to adapt and adjust to inefficiencies, conflicts and developments in the health environment. The resolution of accepting the benefits of pharmacy and pharmacological developments leading to change, no matter how elegant it appears to be on paper becomes effective only when it results in people and group actually improving their health status and performance. It is precisely the interrelated concepts and dimensions that influence changes in medical technology in pursuit of higher education in health service that I envision to delve into this endeavor. It is a career path with vast opportunities and challenges which can shape and direct ways to change people’s lives for the better. References Graduate Prospects. (2010). Community pharmacist: job description and activities. Retrieved 30 March 2010. Read More