The inspiration for my discussion last week came from a quote from a middle school assistant principal. The idea of perception being reality not only applies to the developing tweens and teens at the middle school, but to society in general. In relation to this course, I think that perception can equal reality on both the patient side and also on the healthcare provider side of the equation.
In last Thursday's class session we talked about stereotypes and how they are initially developed as a method of self-protection and of making sense of a complex world. However, especially as healthcare providers, these stereotypes can lead to poor therapeutic relationships and disastrous clinical outcomes for our patients.
I know as a former community pharmacist there were times where I would find myself unintentionally judging someone who complained about their $1 Medicaid copay but had a pack of cigarettes, the keys to a shiny new car and the latest and greatest iphone in hand. It took me a long time to realize that my judgement resulted in an artificial chasm between myself and the patient. And the only casualty of that whole process was the potential improved outcomes that could have happened as a result of a therapeutic alliance between myself and the patient.
I love this course because it makes me reflect and think about the type of pharmacist I have been, the pharmacist I am today and the pharmacist I hope to be.
In last Thursday's class session we talked about stereotypes and how they are initially developed as a method of self-protection and of making sense of a complex world. However, especially as healthcare providers, these stereotypes can lead to poor therapeutic relationships and disastrous clinical outcomes for our patients.
I know as a former community pharmacist there were times where I would find myself unintentionally judging someone who complained about their $1 Medicaid copay but had a pack of cigarettes, the keys to a shiny new car and the latest and greatest iphone in hand. It took me a long time to realize that my judgement resulted in an artificial chasm between myself and the patient. And the only casualty of that whole process was the potential improved outcomes that could have happened as a result of a therapeutic alliance between myself and the patient.
I love this course because it makes me reflect and think about the type of pharmacist I have been, the pharmacist I am today and the pharmacist I hope to be.