- Kevin
In our last visit to St. Joseph we talked about a project we could do. In the past, they have had some problems with interpreters/translators they’ve worked with. They have found that the interpreters weren’t proficient enough in medical terminology in both English and the patient’s language. The project they want us to work on is creating a database of available interpreters/translators in Fort Wayne. They gave us a template of what kind of info they want in the translator/interpreter database. They also want us to do some research on other databases out there on the internet to use as a reference to improve ours. And if we find a database that uses another software besides Excel, and it’s more efficient, easier to use, etc. then they could possibly invest in the program to use for themselves. Along with the project, they want me to sit in on a session where an interpreter/translator is used so I can get an idea of what kind of work goes into these visits.
- Kevin
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My project is nearing up the finish line. I am looking for diabetes patient education handouts that are suitable for health illiterate patients. I have spent much of my time at the Park Center with patients inpatient and outpatient to get a sense for what kind of population I am dealing with. When I was searching online for diabetes patient handouts, I found several that I liked parts of or several that I kind of liked but they costed money. I was really struggling to find something that I felt would really benefit Dr. Williams at the Park Center and her patients. As I was spending my last minutes before I called it a night, I had tried every combination possible in the Google search engine and came across a wonderful website containing nearly 100 patient handouts that are applicable for diabetic patients. The handouts were each only a page long and had cartoons showing exactly what each topic was about. I felt that these were the perfect handouts, however, they have a $25 fee per handout. I initially presented the handouts to Dr. Williams to see if she liked them and when she did I told her about the fee and was going to try to help find funding. Dr. Williams said that she is willing to pay the one time fee of $25 because she thinks that the information presented is well worth the money. Looking forward in my project, I will most likely just be working on my presentation and possibly looking into the website to see if they have similar handouts for other disease states. - Kadie I learned so much throughout this course that really makes me feel more sympathetic towards the Underserved and Vulnerable Population. Many populations are put into a vulnerable situation because of their lifestyle. Someone can have asthma but can't afford to pay for their co-pays therefore leading to them not being adherent to their medications. This person may even be working in a health environment that's not healthy for them to be breathing in all the time. Some individuals can't help themselves and we at the United Way of Allen County come in to help. We want to find out what are the biggest issues the populations here are dealing with and make a change about it.
Being a Student Pharmacist, I have become more sympathetic and understand of why some individuals argue about their co-pay or aren't adherent to their medications. We have to explain it to them why taking their medication is important in patient terms. An example can be Iron, being a Pharmacist we can explain to the patient how the drug works in a way which they can understand. If I tell my patient that they must take their Iron and if they ask why is it so important I can live without it, I can say Iron helps deliver red blood cells carrying oxygen from the lungs to all over the body. And once the oxygen is delivered, the iron helps the red blood cells carry carbon dioxide waste back to the lungs to be exhaled. So if you aren't taking your iron, you aren't having enough oxygen delivered to your lungs resulting in organ damage. Also, your heart is working harder to make up for the lack of Red blood cells in your body causing you to feel more fatigue. We can make a change in the community especially being a Community Pharmacist because we are the ones who see the patients more often. Patients must be treated with respect, kindness and they should be understood. We can make a difference in our patients lives. - Mehvish Elahi Today in Park Center I had the opportunity to shadow in their pharmacy department which is owned by Genoa pharmacy. The pharmacist, the technician, and a Pharmacy intern from Manchester University Pharmacy gave me run down of the daily operation of the pharmacy which is more focused on psych related disorders.
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, this organization serves the underserved population. What I have learned so far shadowing with my project supervisor is tremendous. The goal of this organization is to provide a patient centered care where patients with two or more medical issues can be treated upon in that same location without the need to go a different health facility. NOAH. As healthcare provider, we all want to provide the optimum best care to our patients. Unfortunately, most of the patients that Park center serves are the underserved. Having had the opportunity to shadow and serve these patients in Park center, has come with some challenges. Some of these patients don’t have good health insurance to cover for their services. Giving the fact that most of them don’t have a means of transportation, making to a doctor’s appointment is a challenge to them. More so, most of them are not educated and are physically and mentally challenged which limits their comprehension. Most of them don’t even understand their diagnosis and how to properly manage their care including medication adherence. Because of the challenges they face, we the healthcare providers, are at times unable to provide them with the best care. For instance, if a patient’s health insurance refuses to cover a procedure, service or medication, that impacts our service to patients.
NOAH |
Archives
October 2016
2016 AuthorsKadieMy name is Kadie and I would describe myself as easy-going and just living and loving life one day at a time! :)
Mehvish Elahi
My name is Mehvish Elahi =)
I am 21 and from New York I strive to become a Pharmacist! FernieI enjoy life by taking it one day at a time can't wait to become a Pharmacist!
NOAH OBEN
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story...DESIDERATA... I am very family oriented and I like traveling and enjoy watching and playing football (soccer). Ahmed Adow
I am friendly and outgoing persons, I like to travel and meet new people, my hobbies are player soccer and watching soccer. Dinh HaI am very friendly and I like to laugh a lot. For study breaks, I love to play games and sleep!
2015 AuthorsShealy Todd
I enjoy life and everything that comes with it and I find happiness from helping others enjoy it too. Misty R. GordonA work in progress.
I am better than I have ever been but nowhere near as great as I will become. Nichelle Logan
I love food and pharmacy! Matt Bessesen
Open to all avenues of the pharmacy profession while searching for a vocation that motivates me to be a better person Tyson
Long-term care is my pharmacy thing...and cats are my other thing. Jen
Currently striving to have a career in psychiatric pharmacy. I like to spend my time with my two Australian Cattle Dogs and three horses!. . 2014 AuthorsBriInterest is in psychiatric pharmacy and I have 2 adorable German Shepherds that keep me busy. MartrellI have a strong interest in retail pharmacy but I am open to learning about all aspects of the profession. KellyEverything happens for a reason. I am grateful and happy with all I am blessed with. JoeI am always up for trying new things. Looking forward to what the future has in store. EzzaI love photography, travelling, and food! |