Essay on Evolving Professionalism in Pharmacy: A Study of Hippocratic Values

Professionalism in pharmacy is an archaic concept dating back to the time of Hippocrates. The school does not only teach the complicated knowledge and competence of a course but also the professionalism, values, and ethics associated with the course of study. The need for professionalism among pharmacists is increasing as the health care system, as well as the society, continues to evolve daily. A high level of professionalism allows the student to hold high esteem and standard of practice in the community as well as when caring for the patients. Unprofessional behavior is fuelled by the environment, celebrities, and peer groups. In the wake of unprofessional, criminal behavior and unethical practice, professionalism can appear complicated, however, a pharmacy student can improve his professionalism.

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One way through which a pharmacist student can improve his professionalism is by dressing like a professional whenever attending classes and when on practical. One does not need to graduate to start wearing professionally, but it starts right from when the student is in class and when performing practical lessons. Unprofessionally dressing has been on the rise among the pharmacists, as described by Hammer (2006). In this regard, dressing unprofessionally is a severe issue that pharmacist students need to address as soon as possible, and the best time to start doing so is when in school.

The second manner in which professionalism of pharmacists can be nurtured is through observing time during class time and any other appointment, whether involving meeting a teacher or a patient. Lateness makes the work of a pharmacist daunting and can curtail the effective execution of the roles and duties vested on the professional. Being punctual demonstrates respect for the patient and the people that one serves.

The third of cultivating professionalism is by respecting other people that they come into contact within the line of duty or in any social activity (American College of Clinical, 2009). Human beings are creates created with dignity and requires to be treated with apt respect. A pharmacist meets people with different emotions, opinions, thoughts, needs and feelings, and the has to cope up with them. A student can prepare how to handle people of all facets regarding their behavior. While meeting the patients, health care providers, confreres, faculty staff, and people in the social groups, the student needs to demonstrate respect. Such a demonstration of respect helps to foster the development of a professional attitude.

Other ways of cultivating professional attitude include embracing ultimate responsibility towards learning and self-development. Students also need to establish a trusting relationship with the confreres, health care providers, and patients whenever in any setting within the institution, the students should maintain professional appearance and attitude. Such a commitment will develop positivity when dealing with patients, peers, and colleagues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pharmacist student needs to start developing the culture of developing professionalism while a student rather than waiting until graduation. The critical ways the student can ensure professionalism is cultivated and become part of him is through according to other people respect, such as health care providers, patients, and faculty staff, among others. The student can also nurture professionalism through being punctual in all the activities such as going to classes and when attending practical and experimental lessons. Besides, dressing professionally also helps foster professional attitude critical when offering pharmaceutical services to clients.

References

American College of Clinical. (2009). Tenets of Professionalism for Pharmacy Students. Pharmacotherapy, 29(6), 757-759. doi: 10.1592/phco.29.6.757

Hammer D. (2006). Improving student professionalism during experiential learning. American journal of pharmaceutical education, 70(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj700359