Ethos Ho, BSc Pharmacy Candidate
A Typical Day in the Pharmacy
It was a typical day working at the community pharmacy today. Things were moving along steadily as prescriptions were being processed through the computer and medications were being packaged. My manager reminded me that I had a medication review/consultation scheduled later that day, but instead of meeting directly with the patient, I was to meet with his parents. A pharmacist told me that the patient was a young male that had cerebral palsy and a history of seizures. Moments later, I became preoccupied with processing prescriptions and counselling as the workflow picked up at the pharmacy, and I didn’t think much of the consultation until the time came for it to happen.
His parents arrived ten minutes early for their appointment, so I printed off a copy of the patient’s medication history and any relevant lab values from the provincial health platform and called them into the counselling room.
A Meaningful Encounter
I introduced myself to his parents and explained to them what we were going to talk about today. My first impression of the parents was that they were very friendly and polite. Although English was not their first language, we were able to communicate without any problem. Medical jargon was kept to a minimum throughout our discussions, but it was clear that they were very knowledgeable about their son’s medical conditions and medications.
Though the mother was quieter throughout the consultation, I could tell that she was very attentive to what was being discussed. One thing I recall from our interaction was her smiling as she told me that her son was graduating from his special education class later this month. I could see the pride and joy in her eyes as she told me about his son. She also said me that she and her husband were their son’s primary caregivers.
I mainly spoke with the father during our discussions. He carried a binder that contained all his son’s medical and medication history. I was surprised by the amount of information that he was able to provide me. The binder included everything from consults from dieticians, neurologists, hospital emergency discharge, nurse practitioners, and their family doctor. Everything about their son’s health history was neatly organized in the binder.
Despite the challenges they have to face being the primary caregivers, I could tell that they worked hard to provide the best care that possible. They were very grateful when I helped clarify what some of the medications were that their son was taking. At the end of the consultation, I shook hands with them and told them that I’ll be thinking of them at their son’s graduation.
The Bottom Line
The consultation resonated with me throughout the day. It warmed my heart knowing that the patient was being cared for by such wonderful parents. I regret not telling them that they were doing a great job for their son, and that it was apparent that they loved him very much. I regret not thanking them for being such great, loving parents. I regret not thanking them for being such wonderful human beings.
Not only did I develop tremendous gratitude at the end of the consultation, but it also gave me a great deal of hope to know there are people out there capable of such affection. Life, with all its struggles and negativity, can be a challenge, and in the end, it’s the people we surround ourselves with that pull us through the toughest times. My experience not only helped me learn more about the type of person I want to become, but to appreciate those that I have around me.
Take the time to spend this weekend with friends, family or a loved one. For all the things in the world that money can buy, love isn’t one of them.
