My Life as a 20ish Single

过去的三个星期，我经历了人生相当难熬的一段时间。快速的心情转变使我感觉有点透不过气来。一开始时觉得自己虽然对医药方面的认识还有待加强，但只要肯努力虚心学习，一定可以过关斩将，突破重围。后来方知道，这种想法非常幼稚。工作的地方，不是一个学习天堂。一开始，你就必须利用平时所学的知识和技巧来解决问题。“养兵千日，用兵一时”，里所描述的正是这个道理。

此刻，我的心情有点复杂。欣慰的是，这有点疯狂的医院实习已经结束；难过的是，可能再也没有机会再遇见那个非常友善的她。最坏的显然已经成为过去，美好的也会随着时间消失。

所谓的人生，有甜、有酸、有苦、有辣、当然也有咸。 五味参杂。

This was my 2nd powerpoint presentation, using the same layout and color scheme as my first. During lunch break, a few people came up and told me that my presentation (mainly the slides) was great. But what I would like to know at that time was whether or not they understood what I was presenting - digoxin toxicity. Fortunately, they did. It was very rewarding to hear comments like that.

Today marks the end of my 3 weeks placement, and most importantly, my first job in 22 years. It is hard not to recognise how fortunate I am, and how supportive those surrounding me have been.

The journey was tough, but nonetheless a very precious one. To know that I am able to control my temper (by repeatedly telling myself that its ok, I can take the joke) when others make a big fuss about my inexperience was a rather unexpected discovery. To get involved in day to day dispensing and counselling was eye-opening. To witness yet another very loving married couple was sweet.

From knowing nothing about prescriptions, I have learn a great bunch about PBS scripts, authority scripts, dental scripts, doctor's bag, and private scripts. Now, I can interpret nearly all electronic prescriptions, and most of the hand-written ones. Nonetheless, there are still plenty more to learn. But I can confidently say that it was a good start.

I was helped by GOD who is so generous to grant me the opportunity to work alongside TWO very good mentors, one very kind and patient while the other rather inconsiderate and quick temper. I owe a great deal to both.

Lastly, I have also discovered that no matter how rough a situation is, it will end in peace one day. What we have to do is keeping our head down.

Instead of remembering how awful working alongside TN can be, I would like to note down new knowledge I have acquired today.

• Hayfever often the worst during September as a result of blooming flowers.
• before sticking on the label: this med can affects the effectiveness of oral contraceptive, look at the customer. An old lady, unlikely to need that label. In fact, she was on HRT = Hormone Replacement Therapy when I asked during counselling. Opps.
• for period pain, NSAID is better than paracetamol or codeine.
• Panadeine Forte, do not take extra over the counter paracetamol, it can cause drowsiness = do not take alcohol or drive while on that med
• Arava = Leflunomide = AUD 1378.00 per course, patient on Medicare pay only AUD 30.70!

3 more days to go, I will have to call a prescriber, do primary care and serve customer.

I am more capable than what I think I am.
I can serve customer right.
I can provide good counselling.
I can!

This is what happen when a business owner left the work place. A very serious looking lady suddenly start laughing, bit uncontrollably. The hardworking shop assistant stop putting stocks away on the shelves. The only person who remain unchanged is the person I personally don't quite comfortable with, the pharmacist. Interesting.

Starting from tomorrow till the end of my 3 weeks placement, I will have to work along side X. The feeling of wanting to go work becomes weaker and weaker as I type.

Nop. I am an idiot if I let the subconscious mind took over my conscious thoughts.

Like a little kid, I was terrified when I heard that he will be going off for a family trip to Queensland. Disappointing, I should say, for not being able to spend more time learning how to be a good pharmacist from him. Stephen is a good teacher, Geoff said. But to me, Stephen is nothing less than great.

I started the placement from square one, knows nothing about how a pharmacy works, let alone how a retail works. It must have been difficult for him. It takes lot of patience to coach someone like me. At the end, I just hope that my presence didn't bring too much of a trouble. Harm minimalisation.

Brought a card from Borders today. Wanted to say thank you for all the kindness and patience he offered. Hopefully this will be seen as a form of sincere gratitude, rather than an act to get higher marks in the assessment, like what some might have thought.

Despite the chaos outside, I've had a very peaceful day. There goes the saying: 尝尽苦头，方明了何谓香甜.


No mistakes, able to make up scripts without having lots of question marks all over my head, smile back at customers, pick up phone call, recognise who that is and what they want.

All good for now, more to come tomorrow.

focus on error prevention and harm minimisation:

• reduce reliance on memory
• computerised drug alert systems
• electronic patient medication profile

• reduce complexity = simplify processes
  
• reduce the range and variation in equipment and supplies
• select equipment which is simple to use

• reduce variation = standardise equipment + procedure
• drug storage location

• introduce constraints and forcing functions
• standard prescribing abbreviations = 0.1mg not .1mg + unit not u
• program computer not to process orders that lack key info

• use protocols and checklists
• double checking protocol for hazardous drugs
• simple instructions on how to use equipment

• decrease reliance on vigilance
• eliminate look-alike drugs or store them separately
• establish a system to assist differentiation of sound-alike drugs = atropt vs azopt (LOTS automatically alert about common error)

Why don't you find a part time job earlier? Why do you know nothing about X? What did they teach at uni? Why did they abolish the student hours?

WHY WHY WHY!

I shall remember that these questions hurt. I believe that inexperience shouldn't open a person to scrutiny like these. I vow to be a better mentor if I do have the chance to be one.

A week has passed since I started my placement. To be perfectly honest, I've thoroughly enjoyed the journey traveled so far. My preceptor, Stephen, is a very generous man. It must have took a great deal of patience to deal with someone like me, who is so green on everything, and made so many silly mistakes. When I finished my placement, whether I pass the assessment of not, I am going to write him a card.

As of today, I made a very big mistake during the preparation of Dithranol cream. I think I weighted out 50g of sorbelene cream when it should have been 90g. A very silly mistake that gave away the confidence Stephen might have on me. After all, you don't find someone who can make such a mistake.

A disaster.

It took ages to figure out where the products are, which labels they should carry, and which ones are available as generic brand etc. But I must live with the consequences of not starting a part-time job back then.

I wished I could lay the blame on someone else. I wish.

The working environment is very much like a war zone. You either run as quickly as possible, making sure that you don't step on land mines or die under the gunpoint.

Die hard, live harder!

Tired, painful feet, information overload, silly mistakes. But my preceptor and colleagues have been great, didn't show any sign of frustration while answering tonnes of questions from me.

I can do better, and I will!

You are going to practise as a professional, start acting like one.

This is a phrase mentioned countlessly during Roger's lectures. Now that I am about to go for my professional practice placement, I am starting to think about that phrase slightly more than perhaps I should. The anxiety is there, but thats normal.

I will give my best and leave the rest to come and go like they should.