Disappointed…

I am coming up on my last day of my most anticipated rotation and I must say that it was pretty disappointing (except for the 9-3 hours). Out of all 10 rotations, I expected this one to be the most interesting and introduce me to a totally different practice of pharmacy. Don’t get me wrong, there were some interesting projects, but overall it was rather boring. For the past month, I have been working with the Department of Corrections and a University-Affiliated organization, who shall remain unnamed. Basically, for the entire month I worked independently and contributed to chart review of inmates and data collection for a research project examining the appropriateness of care and documentation of such care in the state correctional facilities. I came across some very interesting things, most notably the Psych notes of some of the inmates, especially those on death row. Some of these inmates have some serious issues. It makes me wonder if they were crazy before they were incarcerated, or if their insanity is a product of such confinement.

I must say that the most interesting part of the whole rotation was the visit to the state medical facility. The syllabus says that we would make 4 trips to this prison–I made it once, the student before me didn’t get to go at all. This was somewhat of a disappointment; however, I am thankful for the opportunity. During the visit, I sat in on the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Formulary meeting and took a tour of the prison. We also went to the Warden’s office and meet with him for a little while. The inside of the prison was definitely interesting and definitely not what I was expecting. This was a medium-security facility, but when you walked in, everyone was pretty much free to roam. Sure, some inmates were confined, but for the most part they were free to wander around in their khaki slacks and button-up shirts. I honestly felt like I was in a mental facility rather than a prison–everyone looked a little looney. Not to mention the Psych Unit, which truly is a high security inpatient mental ward. Very interesting.

Aside from this one day of excitement, most of my time was spent at a computer reading doctor’s notes. I think there are more people in the prison for sex crimes than any other offense.

I must say, this rotation really failed to meet my expectations. Oh…did I mention that I only saw my preceptor once a week for about 2-3 hours. She is a pretty busy woman though. Next month I am at the University Hospital on the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring rotation. This will be a very clinically driven rotation, where I will get to apply all of the Pharmacokinetics that I’ve learned. I will be rounding with the doctors and pharmacists, evaluating drug levels and responses and making notes in the chart, and probably giving a couple of presentations/journal reviews. I did not choose this rotation, rather I was drafted into it. I am dreading it a little, but I know that it will keep me busy and will be very informative and challenging. I emailed the current student to see what he has been doing in the rotation. About a week later he wrote back and apologized for delay, but said that he had been too busy to respond. (That could be a really good or really bad thing…we’ll see) He said he would call me this week and fill me in–he hasn’t called yet.

Hopefully this rotation will be worthwhile–even though I’m a little intimidated–and won’t be too difficult and hopefully I won’t make a fool of myself. I will keep you posted. Leave a comment!