Franciscan Physicians Hospital teaches, learns
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| Vincent Williams and Debbie Ondimu |
"This rotation has really opened my eyes. I'm enjoying the clinical aspect of the hospital," says Uzoamaka Adagbo, a sophomore pharmacy student at Chicago State University.
Adagbo is one of four second-year pharmacy students doing rotations at Franciscan Physicians Hospital. Students Virginia Diaz, Debbie Ondimu and Vincent Williams also work with the hospital’s director of pharmacy, Marva Cooksey, Ph.D., for their rotations.
As pharmacy students, they are required to complete two years of pre-pharmacy schooling, three years of pharmacy course work and one year of clinical rotations, before receiving their Doctor of Pharmacy degree. With one year of course work left, their journey is well under way.
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| Virginia Diaz and Uzoamaka Adagbo |
"The rotation at Franciscan Physicians Hospital has brought everything together in seeing how medications we work with affect patients," says Ondimu. Her rotation partner, Williams, agrees. "We talk about adherence in class, but in the hospital, we see that adherence equals effectiveness, which reduces the time inpatients are here."
Even with the latest technologies and electronic medical record, the atmosphere can be a challenge.
"If one thing is missing or one person fails, our job is compromised. That's why it's important that the whole picture come together to work efficiently in the hospital setting. Staff is exceptionally cognizant and supportive of that notion," notes Adagbo.
A high level of interaction between nursing, pharmacy, physicians and other health providers takes place within the hospital, notes Diaz. It's this interaction that provides the start-to-finish experience the students seek.
"Dr. Cooksey really teaches us the process of pharmacy operations from the starting point to the ending point. She interacts with just about everyone," states Diaz.
Says Cooksey, "I've been in the pharmacy business since 1983, having worked in retail, hospital, HMO, government and direct-mail settings. As such, my experience covers a range of bases and I enjoy teaching my students that they can be more than a one-setting pharmacist."
Despite a thorough approach to clinical management within the hospital, students are learning that barriers do still exist.
"In working with pharmaceutical drugs, we face barriers beyond the clinical spectrum -- things like having an interpreter when a patient speaks another language. We have to overcome that and make sure the interpreter says exactly what we're saying," says Adagbo. "That ensures the patient is taking the right medication at the right time."
The pharmacy student rotations are a two-sided mirror, with benefits reflected by the students’ knowledge and university-level research.
Diaz states, "We are constantly studying new pharmacy guidelines and we're always learning the newest medications and techniques at the university." Adagbo adds, "I feel that the staff learns things from us. It's a great way for everyone to benefit from the interaction."
Ondimu predicts great advancements for the group members, as they analyze operations and system development to better serve patients.
"I'm always thinking about what I can do, what I can change, to predict a better outcome. A lot of it is just processes, finding more efficient ways to manage the care."
Diaz adds, "People count on pharmacists for everything. That’s why we've chosen this field, to better serve patients both now and in the future."
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