A Reflection on the Group Work Process - Essay Example

A Reflection on the Group Work Process The group work process is a complicated but worthwhile venture in any undertaking. When used properly, this process can effectively accomplish any task with good results. The group work process undertaken for this course had many good points that overshadowed some issues that came up in the process of working together as a team. Before the process started, I was worried about how well my group mates and I would work together as a team. I was worried about having an opinion different from the others and if this difference in opinion would require me to make compromises in order to achieve favorable group relations. I was also worried about whether or not we would be able to divide the group work equally. Finally, I was most worried about who among us would have the strong leadership drive to lead the group. Communication issues did not become an issue in the process of working together. By actively listening to each other’s opinions, we were able to avoid the dangers of bad communication. Active listening is when we “listen to the speaker, then repeat back what was heard and ask the speaker if this accurately reflects what was meant” (Nazarro & Strazzabosco, 2003). Through active listening, we were able to share accurately our ideas with each other, and as a result avoid miscommunication. We also brainstormed. In the brainstorming process, we shared ideas with each other. Brainstorming “is a very useful technique when ideas need to be solicited from the whole group” (Nazarro & Strazzabosco, 2003). We collaborated well with each other by dividing the task equally among ourselves. We contributed as much as we could to the group work and we completed our individual responsibilities in order to accomplish a successful group work. We encouraged each other especially when problems like time management arose. Most of us had personal and professional responsibilities that often conflicted with our group work, but with each other’s support and assistance, we were able to finish our assigned tasks. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2008) recommends five basic elements of effective group work. These are responsibility, reliance, relationship, respect and reflection. By applying these basic elements in the group work process, we were able to work well together as a group. The issue of proper delegation was resolved when our group leader was able to assign to each member tasks which were appropriate to our skills and knowledge. Through our initial communication, we were able to find out a little about each other, what each member was capable of, and which part of the assigned group work he or she can contribute in. In delegation, we also applied effective communication by allowing “all members equal opportunity to speak, and remember[ing] that their contributions are at least as valuable as our own…” (University of Birmingham, n.d). There were unavoidable conflicts that arose in the group work process. These conflicts were mostly about scheduling of group meetings. We had a difficult time setting up the dates and time for our meetings because of family, work, and other school responsibilities. When a time would be set, one or two members would not be available, re-scheduling these meetings made other members unavailable. There was a point when irritation with each other arose because of scheduling conflicts. We all worried about whether we would be able to actually do the assigned task because of this conflict in scheduling. Finally, it became very important for us to schedule a meeting with everyone making adjustments and sacrifices in our work, family and school activities. When we finally got together, we finally got to discuss the progress of assigned task and how we would now set up for the final output. Through our meetings, we were able to assess the progress of our work, we were able to address problems in the group dynamics and in the assigned tasks of our group mates, and determine who was not doing well with assigned tasks (Johnston, 2003). The different issues in group dynamics was resolved in favor of coming up with an excellent group output. Looking back, we were able to work well with each other because we listened to each other, we respected each other’s opinions, and we helped each other fulfill their assigned tasks. We recognized that it wasn’t about each one of us anymore, but it was about what we could come up with as a group. Role in the Health Care System My role in the health care system is important because I am the last health care professional who will have contact with the patient. At this point in the patient’s care, it will be up to me to explain to the patient about his drug intake, about the possible side-effects of the drugs he will take, the importance of taking in his medicines, and what he will do in case he will miss a dose in his drug intake. The pharmacist has a vital role of counselor in as far as medicine intake is concerned. After the patient has been examined by the doctors and cared for by the nurses, it is now up to the pharmacist to make sure that the patient is clear about his drug intake. In the public health system, there is often neglect in explaining medicine intake to patients. This drives into me the importance of my role in the health care service. “Pharmacists can fulfill numerous roles in disease management because effective drug therapy is the key to managing most diseases” (Holdford, 2003). In taking time to explain important details about their medicines and drug intakes, it is possible to reduce various adverse drug effects (ADEs) and possible unexplained differences in hospital and at-home progress. As a pharmacist, I can act in the interest of both the private and public health patient. By giving both groups of patients equal attention, I can help equalize the possible differences in hospital care that public health patients may have experienced during their hospital stay. Based on a study, “pharmacist medication review, patient counseling, and telephone follow-up were associated with a lower rate of preventable ADEs 30 days after hospital discharge”(Schnipper, et.al, 2006). This helps point out the importance of my role in the healthcare service and in the recovery of the patient. The “ever-growing and complex range of medicines, and poor adherence to prescribed medicines have forced the evolution of the pharmacist’s role into a more patient centered approach” (Everard, et.al., 2006). As a pharmacist, I must constantly update myself to new medicines and I must consider the individual need of the patient in each drug he purchases. My role is not just in selling medicines, it is in connecting with the patient and identifying vital individual characteristics that make him different from other patients. “The pharmaceutical care process involves establishing a relationship between the patient and the pharmacist, developing an evidence-based care plan for medicine therapy and follow-up on the patients expected health outcome” (Everard, et.al., 2006). As a pharmacist I also occupy a role in monitoring the public health. Increase in sales in certain medications can easily establish growing health concerns in the community. By reporting this event to the health authorities, it is possible to establish the incidence of diseases in the community. “Pharmacists are in a unique setting central to the community that enables them to monitor health status, develop and mobilize community partners and empower community members through education, screening, and dissemination of information” (American Public Health Association, 2006). I can also help the community be properly equipped and be adequately supplied to meet different health crises. There are various patient considerations for each patient. The patient’s age, gender, illness, mental, emotional, cultural, intellectual condition are aspects that are vital in the intake of drugs and instructions in drug intake. As a pharmacist I have a duty to assess the person purchasing the medication and to determine the possible effects that the drugs might bring to the patient. The possible necessity of instructing family members of important drug considerations is also an additional role that I will play in order to ensure that the patient will comply with the medication orders. Adverse drug effects sometimes cause further anxiety to patients and may be the very reason for low medication compliance (Bhise, 2003). Through the various patient considerations, I can advice doctors and nurses on adverse drug interactions and vital patient characteristics that might condition them to adverse drug reactions. I can help educate patients on the use of over-the counter drugs and I can also help advice other healthcare givers on the appropriate drugs to administer to patients (PharmCas, 2008). My expertise in the pharmaceutical characteristics of drugs can help ensure patient’s health and wellness. The pharmacist is an important person in the healthcare service. My role is not only in selling medicines to the patient, it is also in making sure that the right patient gets the right drugs. With these contributions, I am helping the patient on his road to recovery. Works Cited Basic elements of effective group work (2008), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, viewed 11 September 2008 from http://www.polyu.edu.hk/learntolearn/student/html/GroupProject/basicElements.htm Bhise, S. (2003) Role of pharmacist in the healthcare system, Pharmabiz.com, viewed 13 September 2008 http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?Arch=&articleid=16088§ionid=46 Effective Groupwork (n.d) University of Birmingham, viewed 13 September 2008 http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/%7Erxb/HTML_text/hci/Intro-groupwork.html Everard, M. (2006) New tool to enhance role of pharmacists in health care, World Health Organization, viewed 13 September 2008 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/new/2006/nw05/en/index.html Holdford, D. (2003) Disease Management and the Role of Pharmacists, Internet Documents in Economic Access Service, viewed 13 September 2008 http://ideas.repec.org/a/wkh/dmhout/v3y1998i6p257-270.html Johnston, C (2003) How to Make your Group Effective, Texas Lutheran University, viewed 13 September 2008 http://www.tlu.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/pdfs/group_work_guid.pdf JAMA Study looks at the role of pharmacist in health care (2002) Science Blog, viewed 13 September 2008 http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2002/F/20022836.html Nazzaro, A & Strazzabosco, J. (2003), Group Dynamics and Team Building, World Federation of Hemophilia, viewed 10 September 2008 http://www.wfh.org/2/docs/Publications/Hemo_Org_Resources/Monographs/HOD4_Group_Dynamics.pdf Role of the Pharmacist (2008) C-Health Medi Resource, viewed 13 September 2008 http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=2302&channel_id=131&relation_id=2664 Schnipper, J., et.al. (2006) Role of Pharmacist Counseling in Preventing Adverse Drug Events After Hospitalization, Arch Intern Med, viewed 13 September 2008 http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/5/565 The Role of the Pharmacist in Public Health (2006) American Public Health Association, viewed 13 September 2008 http://www.apha.org/APHA/CMS_Templates/PolicySearch.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID={40FCA601-747E-4190-936B-BBB2DB8CDD36}&NRORIGINALURL=%2Fadvocacy%2Fpolicy%2Fpolicysearch%2Fdefault.htm%3Fid%3D1338&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest&id=1338 The Role of the Pharmacist (2008) PharmCas, viewed 13 September 2008 http://www.pharmcas.org/advisors/roleofpharmacist.htm Read More