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IPE Reflection

Through interviewing a family physician, the student learned about the challenges primary care providers face, including issues with patient compliance for medication regimens like opioid replacement therapy. The physician emphasized simplifying medication schedules through blister packs to improve compliance, especially for elderly patients on multiple medications. The student was also enlightened about incorporating pharmacogenomics into treatment decisions to personalize care. While pharmacists and physicians have distinct roles, their goals of optimizing medication therapy and providing patient-centered care are similar. The expanding scope of pharmacist prescribing in Ontario fosters greater collaboration between the professions and benefits patients. The physician expressed openness to innovative approaches like pharmacogenomics, surprising the student. This experience highlighted the importance of embracing new

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aryan sefidrokh
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40 views

IPE Reflection

Through interviewing a family physician, the student learned about the challenges primary care providers face, including issues with patient compliance for medication regimens like opioid replacement therapy. The physician emphasized simplifying medication schedules through blister packs to improve compliance, especially for elderly patients on multiple medications. The student was also enlightened about incorporating pharmacogenomics into treatment decisions to personalize care. While pharmacists and physicians have distinct roles, their goals of optimizing medication therapy and providing patient-centered care are similar. The expanding scope of pharmacist prescribing in Ontario fosters greater collaboration between the professions and benefits patients. The physician expressed openness to innovative approaches like pharmacogenomics, surprising the student. This experience highlighted the importance of embracing new

Uploaded by

aryan sefidrokh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Post-Activity Reflection Questions:

What did you learn about the roles on this team that you did not know previously? Through the interview with the family physician, I
gained a deeper understanding of the multifaceted role of a primary care provider within the healthcare team. I was particularly enlightened about
the challenges they face, including patient compliance with medication regimens, especially in cases like opioid replacement therapy. The
importance of simplifying medication regimens through blister packs to enhance patient compliance, especially for elderly patients with
polypharmacy, was a valuable insight. Additionally, I learned about the significance of incorporating pharmacogenomics into treatment decisions
to personalize medication regimens and improve therapeutic outcomes across various medication classes, including antidepressants.

What are the similarities and differences between your profession and the person you interviewed/shadowed? There are both similarities
and notable differences between my profession as a pharmacist and the family physician I interviewed. One significant similarity is our shared
commitment to patient-centered care and a focus on optimizing medication therapy. However, recent changes in Ontario have significantly
enhanced the scope of practice for pharmacists. Pharmacists in Ontario now have greater authority to prescribe medications for minor ailments, a
role traditionally associated with physicians. This expansion of the pharmacist's role in prescribing medications for minor ailments is
transformative. It not only aligns with our shared goal of providing accessible and timely healthcare but also alleviates a considerable burden
from physicians. Many visits to physicians' offices are for minor ailments that do not require extensive medical attention. Empowering
pharmacists to address these minor health concerns not only improves patient access to care but also reduces unnecessary visits to physicians,
which can strain healthcare resources. This change is expected to have a significant impact on the healthcare system, potentially saving costs and
resources by redirecting patients to pharmacists for certain healthcare needs. It also fosters greater collaboration between pharmacists and
physicians, as we work together to ensure the best possible care for our patients. Overall, while our professions have distinct roles and
responsibilities, the evolving landscape of healthcare in Ontario is fostering greater synergy between pharmacists and family physicians,
ultimately benefiting patients and the healthcare system.

3. What else do you want to learn about the team and its members? What new learning objectives have now emerged for you? I am eager
to continue learning about the broader healthcare team in the community pharmacy setting and to explore new technologies that can enhance the
pharmacy workflow. For instance, I'm interested in self-serving kiosks that dispense medication, potentially streamlining the medication pickup
process for patients while ensuring accuracy and convenience. Understanding the integration of such technologies into the healthcare team's
workflow and their impact on patient care will be a valuable area of exploration. Additionally, I'm intrigued by the concept of a universal medical
history record that allows pharmacists and family physicians to seamlessly connect and share essential patient data. Such a system could
significantly enhance the continuity of care and patient safety. It has the potential to save substantial time and resources within the healthcare
system by reducing redundant data entry and ensuring that all healthcare providers have access to the most up-to-date patient information.
Exploring the feasibility and implementation of such a system will be an exciting learning objective for me. These emerging technologies
represent opportunities to further improve patient care, and I look forward to gaining insights into how they can be integrated into the
collaborative efforts of the healthcare team to benefit both patients and the healthcare system.

4. Did anything about the experience surprise you or make you uncomfortable? If there was conflict, what were the
positions/perspectives behind the conflict and any strategies used to resolve it? The experience of interviewing the physician did not yield
any significant conflicts or discomfort. However, there were aspects of the conversation that were surprising and enlightening. One notable
surprise was the physician's openness to collaboration and his eagerness to explore novel approaches to patient care. During our discussion, the
physician expressed a keen interest in pharmacogenomics—a field that examines how an individual's genetic makeup influences their response to
medications. He believed that integrating pharmacogenomic data into medication management could revolutionize treatment outcomes,
particularly for medications with narrow therapeutic windows, such as antidepressants. This interest in pharmacogenomics highlighted a
refreshing willingness to embrace cutting-edge technologies and research to enhance patient care. It was impressive to witness a physician
actively seeking ways to minimize medication side effects and maximize positive outcomes, especially in the realm of mental health where
finding the right medication and dosage is often a complex and lengthy process.

5. What did you learn that you can apply to your own role as a professional and team member in future practice?

From this activity, I gained valuable insights that will shape my future professional practice. I learned the importance of staying updated with
innovative approaches in healthcare, such as pharmacogenomics and universal health records, and how these can be integrated to improve
medication management. This knowledge will guide me in embracing emerging technologies. Additionally, the physician's commitment to
interdisciplinary collaboration highlighted the significance of teamwork in healthcare. I will continue to prioritize collaborative relationships with
healthcare professionals to provide holistic patient care. Furthermore, the focus on patient-centered care, especially in complex treatments like
opioid replacement therapy, reinforced the importance of tailoring care to individual patient needs. I am committed to maintaining this patient-
centric approach in my practice. These lessons will enhance my ability to provide comprehensive and effective patient care while working
collaboratively within the healthcare team.

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