Summary Of A Personal Reflection

I was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the age of fifteen. I had just arrived in the U.S. after having lived as a refugee in the Philippines, where the disease was prevalent. Though I was prescribed with nine months of antibiotic treatment, I was thankful that at least I did not have the scar on my parents’ shoulders, a result of smallpox vaccinations which I once believed marked them as “Vietnamese boat refugees.” Throughout my treatment, my pharmacist made a great impact toward my wellbeing. She was available to answer questions without appointments and strictly encouraged each visit. She stressed how important taking my antibiotics was, and taught me about how resistance to the antibiotic can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine. I would …show more content…
Each setting exposed me to different scenarios and diagnoses, however I found the clinical setting to be the most engaging. At my current position as a pharmacy assistant, working with professionals continually expands my knowledge for the field. For instance, I was dispensing large amounts of metformin for a patient. The massive size and suspicious fishy odor of the pills quickly caught my attention. I asked the pharmacist why the medicine had such characteristics and what metformin does to the body. He said it is used to treat Type 2 Diabetes, and continued to explain the effects of the drug. Although I do not frequently interact with the patient, gaining this knowledge helped me to better understand the patient. This allowed me to understand the approaches the pharmacist made to ensure the best medication for the patient, guaranteeing their wellbeing and maintaining a strong …show more content…
I want to be a pharmacist who listens to my patients and continuously monitors their progress in health. My fluency in multiple languages would help me to communicate effectively with patients, making it easier to develop the trusting relationship that will inspire positive outcomes in treatment. Because of the care my pharmacist showed me when I had tuberculosis, and the confidence I had for her, I was able to make a full recovery. I too want to reach out to vulnerable populations by targeting groups in underprivileged neighborhoods. As a clinical pharmacist, I will provide patients with a commendable level of accuracy and wisdom, and provide them with affordable and convenient options. Nowadays, pharmacists have the authority to immunize, prescribe, and change prescriptions. I want to prescribe a change towards healthy living, and restore the bond between pharmacists and