ASSIGNMENT 3

So, what has been the highlight of my life lately? Fun? Enjoyable? Excitement? Hell no! It has always been assignment assignment and again assignment since the middle of last month. It is not that I do them 24/7 everyday but only touch it when I feel like it during my off days. This is the biggest tasks amongst 4 that we have in our evolve intern manual folder. Due date for this is 10th June. Ga gaa gaaa . . . My life is not as miserable as it sounds but there are more of other stuffs that I need to deal with and this assignment is like a "STOP" sign

Okay, allow me to introduce you my "best friend" of the month! - Miss assignment 3!! *clap clap*

It incorporates Medicine Use Review (MUR) in it. Apart from a patient's medication, we have to look at his medical conditions, lifestyle, how he manages his medicines etc. It is a holistic  approach where we look at every relevant details of his life in order to improve his quality of life and hoping that he gets the most benefit out of his medication regime. Having said that, there's a number of processes that we need to go through for this "biggie"

Firstly, finding a suitable patient. I spent about 4-5 days looking for one. Sounds quite serious, isn't it? No kidding. Since I am interested in cardiology, I particularly look for one with heart condition so thought it might be easier for me. Okay, the one I have chosen only have 4 medications with 2 medical conditions according to her medication history on our file in the pharmacy and her compliance is good as well. Most importantly, she's an elderly. Yeah! I love talking to old people! I find them really cute and need extra care than other groups of the population! Hee. Nah, she's not that old.

One thing funny about myself. When I see an elderly in the pharmacy, I enjoy serving them! Don't misunderstand me, it is my pleasure to offer the best service I can in terms of pharmacy-related materials to everyone! Being emphatic and understanding with great attitude are 3 of the important qualities that a health care professional must possess if you genuinely want to help your client in the health sector. Yes! everything MUST be patient-focused as we are offering service to them. Anything that goes wrong, even if it is by accident, could put one's life at risk of danger. 

Opps..back to my assignment. Yeah, as I have mentioned, I found my patient! It was really daunting at first as every time I just picked up the phone and after pressing the first 4 number, I would just hang up. Please give me some propranolol. At last, I built up the courage to call her. I was so afraid she would say no but luck was on my side. So yeah! I was like... Sweet as! Could start the ball rolling now! *excited*

She was so lovely and bubbly that I chatted with her for almost an hour when I first visited her and that's the time I just wanted to pass her the consent form. In my mind and heart, I felt blessed to have her as my patient.

After collecting the consent form from her on another day, I was supposed to get all her medical notes and lab results from her GP but in the end, I did that after my interview with my patient, A. The interview was conducted at her house which gave me a general idea of her lifestyle. For example, as I went up the stairs, the wall was full of old photos including a family tree. As I have guessed it correctly, she is a person who cherishes cultural, personal and family values. She told me a lot of things about her ups and downs which I felt empathy for the latter. The supposedly 1.5 to 2 hours interview became 4 hours! I love her sense of humour and optimism. The best part was she and her husband were such a lovely couple just like the newly weds! *touched and melted away*

Now come the hard part. During the interview, I identified a few problems and concerns she had. Therefore, my so-called "simple" case become rather complicated. I spent days doing research for her medications and recommendation. It sounded fairly easy but trust me, it's not. There are a lot of pages that I need to fill in and it feels like writing essay instead of just "fill in the blank" When there's renal problem,even if it is mild, it makes my review harder. However, I reckon even if the prescribing guideline does not agree with the the medications that were prescribed for my patient , I still strongly believe that the doctor has her own reason which is beyond my professional scope of practice, no matter how much research I have done.

---I am only up till this part at the moment ---

Next, meeting up with preceptor to discuss about my work. Only when she agrees, I could proceed with my second and last interview - to explain and provide adequate information for A including lifestyle recommendation. Since she has poor eyesight due to a genetic condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa which I found out during the interview and medical note later on, I make sure that the prints in the information leaflet that I made for her are all big enough to allow her to read easily. 

Final parts - a total of 5 "essays" to write - 3 self-reflections, letter to GP about my recommendation (Arghhhh) and a short composition about the reason for choosing A.  Arghh I don't like English! It is so hard to express in words especially in self-reflection.

There are 3 assessors - my preceptor, my patient and the staff who mark my paper at Evolve in Wellington. I must finalise this assignment at least 3 days before the due date to make sure that it reaches the organisation before the due date. I just wish that I don't need to resubmit =( Anyhow, . . .

GOOD LUCK to all the interns 2011! 

Let me take you through to see the mess I have created while doing this  . . . 

Even my bed seems like a tornado just passes through here

 On the floor now . . . 

Arghh.. I could not stand the mess any longer so I tidied everything up. Oh yes, I particularly like cleaning and tidying up everything in my room when I have to do assignments. You would also realise that I blog more during this time which explains the numerous amount of posts that I wrote back in university

I still prefer my colourful bedsheet

 Look better now. 

Okidokes, I am going to watch anime now - Conan! If only I don't need to go to work tomorrow. The only thing that I look forward to is church on Sunday. 

-The End-