Immune Response

 

Do you buy your medicines online?

 

Reflective Learning

Pharmacy First

Gillick Competence

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

https://youtu.be/eXLvkQy5JQc?si=3UQ3h7dIw_88nBej

After COVID: The Damage We Don’t Measure

 I returned to the clinical setting of Pharmacy after several years of pouring all my time and energy into writing—after listening to that inner voice that beckoned and dared me to become a writer. Eventually, I came to understand a hard truth: writing doesn’t pay the bills, at least not yet.

Coming back to work as a pharmacist in the post-corona era was a shock. I couldn’t help but notice how much working conditions had deteriorated. Back then, there was a morning break and an afternoon break, plus a lunch HOUR. All of that had quietly disappeared—much to the delight of business owners. Now I am left with only half an hour of unpaid lunch. After standing all day and working long hours, there are no breaks at all—only an unpaid half-hour!

I was genuinely excited to be back and be involved in providing essential services such as Pharmacy First, blood pressure monitoring, vaccinations and other patient-facing tasks. However, advances in clinical skills did not translate into better pay or better working conditions. Instead, pharmacy had turned into the territory of big multiples, where corporate priorities overshadow everything.

Staffing levels have been cut to the bone while workloads and responsibilities has soared. Even with longer hours, greater responsibility, and rising inflation, I earned less than I had many years earlier. Despite having worked in pharmacy before, I was told I would be paid as a newly qualified pharmacist. Interestingly enough, during my fifteen months of staying with the same multiple, I never received a single pay rise. It seems that once you are labelled “newly qualified,” you are doomed to remain newly qualified forever—at least as far as wages are concerned.

It was only after leaving the company and speaking with other locum pharmacists that I came to realise I should have been paid for my lunch breaks, as I remained signed in as the Responsible Pharmacist throughout. By staying signed in, I continued to accept full professional responsibility. Exploited or what?

Unfortunately, the trend of not paying for half an hour lunch seems to be the accepted trend. My question is: why are responsible organisations, despite knowing this, not challenging or addressing the issue?

As well as the power of corporates, I am now beginning to understand Brexit better too. I discovered one of the reasons why Brexit had to happened. It seems easier to exploit workplace entitlements when dealing with a single country rather than an entire continent—divide and conquer, perhaps?

In summary, we need to acknowledge and address the erosion of labour protections and workers’ rights in the aftermath of COVID.

By the way, do unions still exist in any meaningful way, or whether the COVID era stripped them of their power? 

To access CPPE podcasts

This is for pharmacists:

For accessing health Podcasts on a CPPE podcasts series you need to be registered with CPPE. Once registered visit https://www.cppe.ac.uk/podcasts/default

Hayfever

https://www.pharmacy.biz/tree-pollen-bomb-uk-spring-hay-fever-symptoms-management-guide/

 "If you’re sneezing and dealing with itchy eyes in March or April, tree pollen is likely to blame. But if your allergies hit hardest in May, June, or July, grass pollen could be the trigger.”

Although less common, there are some more surprising symptoms of hay fever, such as excessive sweating (can be caused by stress, pain or when your immune system is vulnerable) and loss of taste and smell.

inflammation in the nasal passages can impact our sense of smell. This is the body’s way of limiting the amount of pollen that reaches the nose. Taste and smell are linked.

Hayfever ... Sinus inflammation ... build-up of pressure which results in a sinus headache ... intense pressure inside the head or behind the eyes. also histamine ... migraine type headache.

Taking preventative measures before pollen counts peak can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms.

"Starting antihistamines about two weeks before allergy season begins can build up protection in your system and prevent symptoms from taking hold."

Air purifier with a HEPA filter at home and closing windows, wraparound sunglasses outdoors and changing clothes after spending time outdoors help.

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   Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

   .If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist
    مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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What is depression and how can I get help? | Mind

Self-help for low mood and depression | NHS

I had a black dog, his name was depression

How our minds and bodies react to bereavement

"Whatever the loss, our mind and body will react to this change. Something or someone that was there before is no longer there. Something or someone we depended on as part of our lives has gone. There has been a change. This can shake our world, and how it does so, will depend on what has happened and what support we have in place to cope. 

When we are bereaved, we can feel anxious, sad, angry, shocked, grief-stricken, withdrawn, in disbelief, guilty, sad and in denial – and experience these in no particular order. We can struggle with sleep, concentration, our appetite and making decisions. We can also experience physical pain, such as headaches and muscle pain, as well as less specific bodily reactions that are similar to feelings of anxiety."

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/articles/change-loss-bereavement

Mental Health Foundation A to Z of mental health problems: 

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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Check symptoms

 https://patient.info/symptom-checker

Talking Meds Podcasts

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/00vCwf7jHnuknBYWTENJSP

 Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas.

Use other methods such as physiotherapy first for patients who are at risk, then if NSAID if needed at the lowest dose for shortest time needed, use Ibuprofen or Naproxen first, use medication to protect the stomach.

In Asthma therapy Bronchodilators alone is not enough, steroid therapy is also needed. If 3 or more Bronchodilator inhaler per year without steroid question that. Ask if they have an Asthma plan.

Multidisciplinary teamworking is important, consultation skills is important (what is important for patients), you should be able to manage risks. We are working with uncertainties.  

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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Menopause symptoms and how to talk to your GP | Liz Earle Wellbeing

Sleep habits

Remember bed is only for sleep (and sex)

If you are not asleep within 15 minutes, get up and go to another room such as the living room, until you feel sleepy again. Repeat as much as needed.

Plan ahead which room you will go to and what you will do there if you don’t drop off within 15 minutes e.g. ‘I will go to the living room and read my book or knit until I am drowsy again’

Prepare the room you will go into if you don’t drop off e.g. leave a lamp on and have things ready to do, should you need to get out of bed

No daytime napping!

Stick to your bedtime routine each evening

Remember your habits for good sleep as part of your bedtime routine, such as the lighting

Keep your feet warm!

Get the temperature right, 18ºC is perfect.

Avoid exposure to blue and white lighting, and aim for red spectrum light.

Make any changes you need to make to your sleeping environment such as bedding, mattress, ear plugs, etc.

silvercloudhealth.com

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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How to Reset Your Vagus Nerve...This Will Change Your Life! Dr. Mandell

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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To improve my consultation skills

Preparing for the consultation : Establishing initial rapport, Establishing the reason for the consultation

Gathering information: Questioning & Listening

Explanation and planning: Providing evidence based advice and information, Discussing options and potential outcomes of 

Closing the session: Offering a safety net, Verifying and agreeing a plan 

Building the relationship: Demonstrating empathy, Building rapport throughout, Increasing a person's involvement in consultation, Using open body language.

Additional Skills for Person-centred approach: Understanding the person's perspective of their medicines and/or health. Analysing own behaviours during the consultation and identifying areas for change (body language and attitudes towards people). Engaging the person in shared decision making. Working in partnership with the person. Taking a holistic view of the person

Consultations Models:

Calgary-Cambridge: Preparing for the encounter, establishing rapport with the patient, and identifying the reason for the consultation.  

Pendleton: a set of guidelines designed to structure the feedback process in a way that encourages learning and improvement. 

Neighbour: Five checkpoints of connecting, summarising, handing over, safety netting and housekeeping alongside an awareness of 'minimal cues' (verbal and non-verbal) to help discover the unspoken agenda.

BARD: Using an open question to start the consultation Listening carefully to the patient Using verbal cues like "mmm" and "ok" Using non-verbal cues like a smile or nod the totality of the relationship between the doctor and patient.

Health Coaching Models:

GROW: Goal (what do you want to achieve), Reality (tell me about the current situation), Option ( What could you do differently, what might get you on the way), Way forward (how committed are you? SMART action plan).

4Es: Explore, Empower, Educate, Enable 

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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Reference

Medicines suitable for blister packaging. 

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/