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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cam W. on March 23, 2000, at 22:58:46
To medlib, bigbertha, bob, Julie, Annie, Janice, Chris K., Janet R., Chris A., Judy, April A., Kim (T -I think), and allisonm (your posting was lost to cyberspace, but it was the thought that counted).
Congratulations guys, you made me look good again. Thank you so much!
medlib - "Ask a Pharmacist" raised a few eyebrows (I could hear the gears turning in some). Also, over the phone callbacks seemed to be well received. I think the importance was impressed upon them, but they would also like to meet and get to know the person they are serving. Your pharmacist story wasn't related (ran out of time, but it impressed me)
bigbertha - Your cheque is in the mail, so tell those guys to stop watching my house. None of the students wanted to work in a "pill factory". They would rather use their knowledge for the good of mankind (not for evil).
bob - Man, I'm sorry to say that they trashed you. Every last one of them would have called the doctor before giving you the prescriptions (okay - YOU could have probably talked some of them into filling the Ritalin and Nortriptyline). They are not taught about cocktails, especially the one's used off-label, as it would be considered unethical to use drugs for other than their indicated purposes (bless their naive little hearts). Your point on getting to know your customers was very well received, as was your obsevations on how to keep a customer.
Annie - The students seemed to agree with you that a private area to talk about prescriptions was important. In Alberta, every pharmacy is supposed to (by law) have a private counseling area. They agreed that they would call the doc before filling a potentially serious drug interaction.
Janice - No wonder you didn't want to tell me you were originally from T.O. Do you actually think I would stoop as low as make a joke (centre of the universe) about Canada's largest, most progressive (New York Jr.) city? I did impress upon them your ideas about being discreet about saying the name of your medication out loud. I too think that this is important. Also, your examples of good service were impressed upon them.
Chris K. - The privacy issue was well received. Private counseling areas are manditory in Alberta. Also, they felt that getting to know their customers was important.
Janet R. - Yes, they agreed that sensitive issues can be dealt with easier over the phone, but they would still like to get to know you as a person. They really didn't have an opinion on body language.
Chris A. - These guys seemed so gung-ho that they would have stopped you on the subway (LRT here) to talk, not just haven taken the initiative in the pharmacy. Most of my talk centered on stigma. Also, I had an article published in Pharmacy Practice journal (March, 2000 - p.18) entitled "Attack the Stigma of Mental Illness."
Judy - You story on your pharmacist's forethought in not filling your full prescription really touched a nerve with them (and me).
April A. - They thought that face-to-face contact was important, but that many personal questions could be handled over the phone. They thought that you should find a caring pharmacist that you feel comfortable with.
Kim - The students thought that it is important that before filling prescriptions that interact, that the doctor be called. They did shake their heads at the Temazepam story, though.
Okay, so I didn't get a total concensus of all 103 students, but random samplings during class and the follow-up comments after class were as I have described above.
Thank you everyone. Like I has said before -You people are fantastic. I have learned more in the few months I have been here than in the last 16 years as a pharmacist. Very sincerely yours - Cam W.
Posted by Cam W. on March 24, 2000, at 0:01:45
In reply to Student Presentation Enhanced by Babblers (LONG!), posted by Cam W. on March 23, 2000, at 22:58:46
Hi all - I'm sorry, but have to brag. Check it out, the op-ed article I wrote for Pharmacy Practice journal is on the web at:
www.bizlink.com/Content/pharmacy/phpractice/2000/03-00/php030016.html
or
www.pharmacyconnects.com
and then click on Pharmacy Practice icon, then click on 'See this month's issue', then click on 'Have Your Say' - Attack the stigma of mental illness. Too cool (immortalized on the web) - Cam W.
Posted by Chris A. on March 24, 2000, at 0:48:39
In reply to Cam's Journal Article is on the Web (Cool), posted by Cam W. on March 24, 2000, at 0:01:45
Great article, Cam! Thanks for all of your help around here. Just remember to take care of yourself (remember that I currently mother for a living).
Best,
Chris A.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 24, 2000, at 2:52:33
In reply to Cam's Journal Article is on the Web (Cool), posted by Cam W. on March 24, 2000, at 0:01:45
> Too cool (immortalized on the web)
This site counts, too, doesn't it? :-)
Bob
Posted by Cam W. on March 24, 2000, at 6:25:12
In reply to Re: All of You are on the Web (Cool), posted by Dr. Bob on March 24, 2000, at 2:52:33
> > Too cool (immortalized on the web)
>
> This site counts, too, doesn't it? :-)
>
> BobDr.Bob - Yeah, this is on the web, too, but I posted myself here. It is far more of a rush when someone else posts your work. Ya gotta remember, I'm a hick from the sticks. ;^/
- Cam W.
Posted by Brandon on March 24, 2000, at 9:59:42
In reply to Congrats!, posted by Chris A. on March 24, 2000, at 0:48:39
I second that! Great job!
Brandon
Posted by Cindy W on March 24, 2000, at 11:06:52
In reply to Cam's Journal Article is on the Web (Cool), posted by Cam W. on March 24, 2000, at 0:01:45
> Hi all - I'm sorry, but have to brag. Check it out, the op-ed article I wrote for Pharmacy Practice journal is on the web at:
>
> www.bizlink.com/Content/pharmacy/phpractice/2000/03-00/php030016.html
>
> or
>
> www.pharmacyconnects.com
>
> and then click on Pharmacy Practice icon, then click on 'See this month's issue', then click on 'Have Your Say' - Attack the stigma of mental illness. Too cool (immortalized on the web) - Cam W.Cam, I loved your article! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us and for caring about the mentally ill.
Posted by bob on March 24, 2000, at 23:26:55
In reply to Re: Cam's Journal Article is on the Web (Cool), posted by Cindy W on March 24, 2000, at 11:06:52
Hey, bucko, put it on your vita! A publication's a publication.
That, and you did a great job!
cheers,
bob(wondering if he can put his published letters to the editor of MacAddict on his own vita...)
Posted by Jade on March 25, 2000, at 8:26:55
In reply to Re: Cam's Journal Article is on the Web (Cool), posted by bob on March 24, 2000, at 23:26:55
Dear Cam,
Kudos to you! I would like to thank you for taking the time to contribute to the recovery process of those with a mental illness.I thoroughly enjoyed your article. It was well written!
My son who was recently discharged to a group home had an increase in his Lithium, which was recently added to his Olanzapine. When we were talking about this he was concerned because the pills were a different colour. I asked what the package stated and he said Lithain (sp) 1500mg. He had not taken any because he had two days left from a previous prescription. Since he is now getting his prescriptions from a community pharmacy vs the hospital he had asked the pharmacist if this was right when he had picked them up. He was told yes, it was just a different brand.
He was nervous about taking them so I said to call the hospital and speak with his nurse. (He is in a transition process.)He could not reach her and was instructed to call the pharmacy again. He did and got the same answer. I thought no more of it considering the sources.
After two days of these meds he was not doing well and a staff member checked his pill bottle. It had some womans name on it. It was returned and filled appropriately with Lithium. He is young and just learning how to deal with these kinds of circumstances but he is very well spoken. It makes you wonder if this pharmacist had assumed that this person taking these meds does not know what they are talking about so don't waste your time.
It was a valuable learning experience for him but a scarry one.
Sincerely
Jade
Posted by AprilA. on March 25, 2000, at 14:15:06
In reply to Student Presentation Enhanced by Babblers (LONG!), posted by Cam W. on March 23, 2000, at 22:58:46
>
> April A. - They thought that face-to-face contact was important, but that many personal questions could be handled over the phone. They thought that you should find a caring pharmacist that you feel comfortable with.
>
> Sorry guys-you flunk. If I could go out looking for (and find) a "caring" pharmacist I could feel comfortable with, I'd probably be in such great shape I wouldn't even need one! Anyway my insurance doesn't allow that choice!!
I'm ready to sign up with a pharmacy online. I don't want to hurt your feelings but pharmacists aren't therapists. I don't want "caring" or consultation-I have an MD to discuss the medication and provide monitoring. If I have personal questions, that's where I'll take them. I just want to make a purchase at the pharmacy and leave. AprilA.
Posted by Phil on March 25, 2000, at 18:05:37
In reply to Re: Students get F, posted by AprilA. on March 25, 2000, at 14:15:06
April, I know how you feel. I used to manage a drug store and I still get pissed at many pharmacists. On the other hand, I've seen them save both doctors and patients asses by catching drug interactions or mis-written scripts.
Most pharmacists aren't the problem...it's the stock market. Less payroll, more MONEY for shareholders, more stress and less help in the pharmacy.
"AMERICA...AH SHIT, DON'T GET ME STARTED.
Posted by KimK on March 30, 2000, at 1:37:22
In reply to Cam's Journal Article is on the Web (Cool), posted by Cam W. on March 24, 2000, at 0:01:45
It was KimK, but that's all right ;-)
Great article, Cam! I sent it to my pharmacist brother-in-law (who, of course, has no idea I'm one of the stigmatized).
It's nice to have someone in "high places" helping us babblers!
KimK
This is the end of the thread.
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