Classes are back in action again. It seems like co-op just started, and now it is over. My first day of classes was last Tuesday. I am already back in my usual mid-semester routine of studying, coffee, classes, labs…repeat. Although many people are fearful and dreadful of taking classes over the summer, there are certainly advantages over the normal Fall-Spring semesters. No Friday classes, less people at the gym, at the cafeteria, and less foot traffic on the campus. The Dunkin’ Donuts line, which is usually to the door every morning, is now much more bearable. I am excited to continue my educational endeavors in pharmacology and open up to new classes such as Health Care Systems and Communications.

A communications class in a pharmacy curriculum you ask? In health care, teamwork and communication are the two most vital aspects of a successful hospital or pharmacy setting. In the communications lab I am now taking, I will learn and hone my techniques and approaches for consulting a patient on medications. My first lab was very interesting because I was put in the position of being the pharmacist in a role-play scenario with a patient looking to pick up a refill and a new prescription.

Since it was our first lab I had absolutely no I idea what I was going to talk about with this “patient”. (I also forgot to tell you all these interactions are filmed on DVDs and reviewed by the teacher and my fellow classmates). I was given a fictitious medical background sheet on the patient and had to answer questions he had, and also inform the patient of the possible consequences of the medication if not taken correctly. I had to make the person feel comfortable with their new medication. At first I was nervous, but it was a very good introduction to my future as a health care professional. I quickly felt more comfortable talking with this “patient” and begin to feel more confident. Although it was my first interaction in this lab, I certainly look forward to the future consults I will be doing.

My other lab is pharmaceutics 2. In this lab, we compound and make various fake prescriptions using a scale, spatula, and mortar and pestle. These skills are vital if you wish to be a registered pharmacist in New York (they require a wet compounding lab). We had to weigh out powders using “old-school” balances that were not electronic. One side had the powder, and the other had the corresponding weight. You can only imagine how long it takes to measure out a desired amount using this technique.
I thoroughly enjoyed both of these labs, and look forward to the rest of the semester.

I will be certain to keep you updated on my summer.