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Francesco Nguyen (P1)

Moments of Understanding


From my time at Word on the Wards, I have experienced firsthand the consequences of many individuals who were not adherent to their medications. As a pharmacy student, I was able to learn how imperative medications are to managing one’s health. However, despite their importance, many patients are non-adherent to their medications for multiple reasons such as inconvenience, cultural barriers, and resistance. It is important to note that the similarities between reasons boils down to the overall theme of lack of understanding. When a patient doesn’t understand the importance of their medication treatment and their diseased condition they are unable to see the benefits that can come from them. From being a part of Word on the Wards, I explicitly saw how patient’s attitudes change about their medications once I explain the nature of their disease and how the medications can help them. What surprised me was the fact that most patients are unaware of their conditions and it was a truly rewarding experience to be able to play a role in educating them. With healthcare practitioners being so busy, they aren’t able to answer all of their patients questions and many patients don’t voice their concern due to authority. I am glad I am able to be at the same “level” as the patients so they can open up to me in which I learn many valuable lessons from them and even rely unknown information to their doctor to better aid their healthcare. I learned that making the conversation patient-centered allows one to understand the patient’s way of life and it allows me to suggest patient-specific and practical ways for the patient to take care of themselves. When educating patients, it is always satisfying when they say things such as, “now I can see why my doctor gave me this medication”. Phrases like that tell me that I am doing my duty as a future healthcare provider.


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