Walk a mile in their shoes, then you'll be a mile away and have their shoes

This is my first blog for the PJ online, and I’m here to provide an alternative students’ view. Naturally, the freedom of being able to write anything concerning pharmacy sent my brain into overdrive, with multiple ideas springing to mind – making it very difficult to actually sit down and write something! I’ve decided to mirror the theme of my fellow students’ latest blog; communication, particularly (as it’s the subject of my dissertation) empathy.

‘Empathy’ as a word has no explicit definition, rather it is best explained as the phrase ‘knowing how someone else feels’. When I started my dissertation, I didn’t really have much respect for empathy or how it would fit into a final year MPharm degree. How wrong I was.  Not only does empathy fit into the degree, it’s an elementary part of it. Given that chemistry takes brownie points for being the most covered, followed closely by joint physiology, therapeutics and pharmaceutics; empathy and communication in general are something that nobody ever really seems to remember learning about. It’s not an entry requirement, like the B in A-Level Chemistry, it’s not assessed in the written coursework, and it is very rarely the main focus of a 25 mark exam question! So why do I think empathy is elementary to pharmacy?  

The ‘new’ pharmacy contract (which is now 5 years old so shouldn’t really be called new!) has changed the role of pharmacists across the country. Pharmacists aren’t hiding in the dispensary, checking scripts by the minute for legality, clinical validity and accuracy anymore. Rather they are going to be in front of the counter; speaking to patients left, right and centre!  

But it’s not just speaking; Pharmacists need to be able to thoroughly understand where their patient is coming from, in order to get the most positive and practical health outcome. Empathy is an intrinsic part of this, how can we help patients if we don’t understand how desperately they need the Imodium behind you? How utterly relieved they were when you pointed to Ovex? And how grateful they were when you offered them more privacy in the consultation room?

Hopefully, the next time you're pulled from the dispensary to the front counter, you'll spare a few more moments considering the feelings of your patients, rather than just the pills and potions to treat their symptoms.