UPPOW Community UPPOW Community OutreachOutreach

Or, Why I Am a Pharmacy Or, Why I Am a Pharmacy StudentStudent

John Pedey-BraswellJohn Pedey-Braswell

Pharm.D. Candidate 2005Pharm.D. Candidate 2005

“There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man.

There is no greater contribution than to help the weak.

There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.”

-- Walter Reuther, President U.A.W. 1946-1970

So What’s In It for Me?So What’s In It for Me?

Opportunity to “make a difference” in Opportunity to “make a difference” in somebody’s life. e.g. mentor, tutor, somebody’s life. e.g. mentor, tutor, companion.companion.

Gain poise by speaking before groups of Gain poise by speaking before groups of people – need not be frightening if you start people – need not be frightening if you start by talking to kids.by talking to kids.

Learn new skills. e.g. crisis clinic work, Learn new skills. e.g. crisis clinic work, Planned Parenthood volunteer, nursing homes.Planned Parenthood volunteer, nursing homes.

Discover what the “average American” is Discover what the “average American” is really really like.like.

“You write well for health care professionals. It will take some practice for you to break out of this style and write for non-health care professionals…… I also think that if you think the average American could understand this, its time for you to either spend some time in the cafeteria at Boeing or else rent Clueless. You work with an educated group of professionals; John most people are not like this.”

But, John….But, John….

I have a family that I never get to see.I have a family that I never get to see. I still need to find time for church, I still need to find time for church,

Boy/Girl Scouts, basketball games, etc.Boy/Girl Scouts, basketball games, etc. I don’t know where I’ll find time to I don’t know where I’ll find time to

volunteer and study.volunteer and study. I am only a first year, what can I teach I am only a first year, what can I teach

people?people?

Welcome to the ProfessionWelcome to the Profession

From ME From ME professiounprofessioun, “a public declaration.”, “a public declaration.” Primary entries in Webster’s 9Primary entries in Webster’s 9thth New Collegiate New Collegiate

Dictionary employ the use in a religious Dictionary employ the use in a religious context, e.g. taking vows to enter a religious context, e.g. taking vows to enter a religious community, and publicly declaring your beliefs community, and publicly declaring your beliefs and faith.and faith.

If you do nothing else, profess that you are/will If you do nothing else, profess that you are/will be a pharmacist. Make the public aware of this.be a pharmacist. Make the public aware of this.

Vow to leave our profession in a better position Vow to leave our profession in a better position than when you entered. I believe that each of than when you entered. I believe that each of you was chosen to be in this room with the you was chosen to be in this room with the expectation that you will.expectation that you will.

Case I (1993)Case I (1993)

52yo Caucasian Male52yo Caucasian Male S/P MI c.1988S/P MI c.1988 HTN, Hypercholesterolemia, Daily ETOH HTN, Hypercholesterolemia, Daily ETOH

and Tobacco Useand Tobacco Use Delivers Heating Oil for a Living, Often Delivers Heating Oil for a Living, Often

Drives >5 hrs/dayDrives >5 hrs/day No Prescription InsuranceNo Prescription Insurance Presents with Antihypertensive with Cost Presents with Antihypertensive with Cost

> $80/month> $80/month

Baker City Herald, August 27, Baker City Herald, August 27, 19931993

““Mike Braswell’s name was supposed to be in Mike Braswell’s name was supposed to be in Thursday’s paper. It was supposed to be on the Thursday’s paper. It was supposed to be on the recreation page with his picture and his biweekly recreation page with his picture and his biweekly outdoor column. It was not supposed to be outdoor column. It was not supposed to be among the obituaries.among the obituaries.

A blood vessel burst in Mike’s brain the evening A blood vessel burst in Mike’s brain the evening of August 13of August 13thth at home. He and his son, Chris, at home. He and his son, Chris, were preparing for another one of their Boy Scout were preparing for another one of their Boy Scout outings. Mike’s wife, Marge, who delivers papers outings. Mike’s wife, Marge, who delivers papers for the Baker City Herald, and Chris took him to for the Baker City Herald, and Chris took him to the hospital. Mike was flown to a Boise hospital, the hospital. Mike was flown to a Boise hospital, where he died 12 days later.where he died 12 days later.

What If?What If?

Mike’s pharmacy had questioned his ability to Mike’s pharmacy had questioned his ability to afford the medication on a monthly basis?afford the medication on a monthly basis?

Mike had asked his pharmacist if there was a less Mike had asked his pharmacist if there was a less expensive medication?expensive medication?

Mike’s pharmacist called him when he didn’t Mike’s pharmacist called him when he didn’t come back for a refill? come back for a refill?

Consider: probably filling ~200 scripts/day with 1 Consider: probably filling ~200 scripts/day with 1 RPh/1 Tech. Avg. Retail Intervention Rate is 0.4-RPh/1 Tech. Avg. Retail Intervention Rate is 0.4-1% of all prescriptions (K.K. Knapp, et al).1% of all prescriptions (K.K. Knapp, et al).

NACDS estimates that $91 gross profit is lost NACDS estimates that $91 gross profit is lost each hour pharmacists spend not dispensing each hour pharmacists spend not dispensing prescriptions.prescriptions.

But, What If…But, What If…

You, and your son, were in Mike’s Boy You, and your son, were in Mike’s Boy Scout Troop?Scout Troop?

You provided a Flu Shot Clinic at You provided a Flu Shot Clinic at Marge’s Paper?Marge’s Paper?

You volunteered to help teach Chris’s You volunteered to help teach Chris’s science class?science class?

You shot skeet with Mike at the gun You shot skeet with Mike at the gun club?club?

A Position in Search of a Job A Position in Search of a Job DescriptionDescription

Clearinghouse for Volunteer OpportunitiesClearinghouse for Volunteer Opportunities Quantify Time Spend by UWSOP Students Quantify Time Spend by UWSOP Students

Working in Their Communities – Challenge Working in Their Communities – Challenge Other APhA-ASP Region VII Schools (Avg. Other APhA-ASP Region VII Schools (Avg. Hrs/Student/Year)?Hrs/Student/Year)?

Outreach to UW Living Groups, Pre-Pharm Outreach to UW Living Groups, Pre-Pharm GroupGroup

Formalize Volunteer Relationship with Area Formalize Volunteer Relationship with Area SchoolsSchools

Ideas??Ideas??

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

--Albert Schweitzer

tafkab@u.washington.edu