Blog

Blog 5

 A Summary of Nancy’s Journey in MHST601

As a hospital oncology pharmacy manager, my daily work is focused on improving patient care through safe pharmacy practice. My motivation to pursue a Master’s degree in Health Studies at Athabasca University is driven by my professional identity as a health care provider and my growth as a leader in my pharmacy community. My professional identity is shaped by the standards set out by our professional licensing body, the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) and our regulatory body, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). My role as pharmacy manager leans on an interdisciplinary approach for a complete patient care model which integrates health advocacy with pharmaceutical expertise. My passion for education has brought me into a journey of self-exploration and discovery of who I currently am, and where I intend to go in my personal and professional identity.

 The elements that play a critical role in my expertise, are the ability to lead a team and understand my required duties as a pharmacy manager. I have the clinical expertise in chemotherapy regimens, targeted regimens, immunotherapies and supportive care treatments specific to the diagnoses of the patient population we serve in the greater Hamilton, ON area. My educational endeavor has rooted my understanding of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of oncology medications. My team leadership includes guiding pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other health professionals in a collaborative and efficient work environment. I have developed strong problem solving skills as a drug information pharmacist and apply them to address complex situations involving medication therapy management, and optimizing outcomes for cancer patients. Patient safety and medication resource allocation is a daily focus of our cancer care team. Part of my manager role is to oversee inventory management, drug costs, staffing budget, regulatory compliance and understand our underserviced minorities to better serve the needs of our community.

            In understanding my role as a health care provider, the historical review of the definition of health is valuable. The World Health Organization definition of health “is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity and a fundamental right of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief or social condition”. (WHO, 1948). This concept has a foundation in great social equity of the late 1940s. Svalastog brings to light that the WHO definition is missing the additional key component of spiritual health. The individual should have a spiritual self-awareness, self-confidence creating a satisfaction in their life which brings about peace and emotional balance. (Svalastog, 2017). The expanded definition should be inclusive of determinants of health in modern times. Determinants of health are those factors that influence the health of individuals, families and communities. Health Canada (2018) defines determinants of health in the following groups: social, economic and physical environment. Social determinants may be those factors such as, who we value and emulate in our family or community. Social determinants include our culture, coping skills, and childhood experiences. Economic determinants are things such as income, social status, access to health care, quality of health care, healthy behaviors and education level achieved. Physical environment determinants are biology, sexuality, sexual orientation and genetics, including where we live, and where we are employed. These determinants of individuals may lead to health inequities.  In oncology determinants of health disproportionately affect marginalized populations, such as Indigenous Canadians. Social, economic and physical environment determinants of health affect our Canadian Indigenous population where a lack of trust for institutional medicine drives health disparities. Abuse, forced separation of aboriginal families are a Canadian history that has had impactful determination on the health care of the lives of indigenous peoples. First Nations Communities, according to Justice Murray Sinclair, feel like they have been burned by mainstream medicine. (Vogel, 2015). Aboriginal women in Canada face a higher rate of breast cancer mortalities due to delayed diagnosis and treatment access barriers. (Cole, 2021).