I had really looked forward to my hospital rotation as I wanted to have a feel of how Clinical Pharmacy is practiced. I looked forward to attending ward rounds.
So fast forward to my first week in, at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), in addition to appreciating the inotropes, vasopressors and sedation medicines, I decided to ask my supervisor if we could join in the ward rounds consistently. Her response was not as exciting as I had expected it to be. She told me we shall go for the Major Ward Round which was mostly happening on Mondays and start by 9am.
I was very punctual that Monday, excited and looking forward to it. We went to the ICU and the multi-disciplinary team of about 15 people has already started rounding. We stood towards the back. The medical officer intern had just finished presenting the case and the consultant went spot on with a question on the sequential blockade of metolazone and furosemide. I did not know the answer then but in hindsight I had expected my supervisor to step in and respond. They didn’t.
The consultant sighed and asked, “Where are those educated drug fellows who walk around with the title doctors and their students have green name tags?” You see they are not here when it matters!”. We were at the back!
I cannot mention how my heart sank that day. Not so much because I did not know how to respond to the question, because I could always prepare beforehand for the rounds. I found it so tragic that, that is the general perception of pharmacists.
There is a lot of work that still needs to go in as pharmacists embrace their clinical role in patient care. It is still a steep curve but opportunities to demonstrate this role are there and I am optimistic about the profession. A pharmacist is the key piece in improving the patient centered care experience.
“If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others.” Michelle Obama
Dr. Rasburicase