“What will you do in Ghana?”“What can you do there?”“How much can you contribute in only two weeks?”I was always asked and I always asked myself these questions before I began the journey. I know it is very difficult for someone to change things that have existed for a long time. But…deeply in my mind, I want to change something to make the world better, and I want to find the mission that I can devote myself to. To understand more about international volunteering, I read some books and articles in advance. A traveling writer and international volunteer said “We cannot promise that the contribution of the international volunteer could make the world a better place, but we are sure that through the international volunteer experience we can become better earthmen.” It is easier, isn’t it?
As an ex-pharmacist and now work for a pharmaceutical company, I am interested in Ghana’s healthcare environment. As a matter of course, working in the hospital is my first priority. In the beginning, I was assigned to the maternity ward. I admit that I felt frustrated there because I didn’t have any nursing or pregnancy experience. Furthermore, I had language barrier with the patients. But I told myself that I want to contribute to the place. At that time I had two plans: First, I ask to change to the pharmacy (dispensary). Second, I can search some information about pregnancy on the internet and then I know how to help. Guess what? I was assigned to the dispensary.
The following is the story how I use Lilly selling process to make some positive changes. As I do in the daily work, I prepared pre-call plan before I went to the dispensary. I built good rapport with the MCAs (medicine consultant assistants) in the dispensary by sharing my wedding photos with them. The pictures about your life are powerful social tools. Don’t forget to take some interesting photos with you when you volunteer abroad!
Most time of the first week, I just observed their work and sometimes helped them to deliver the charts and medicine. During the second week, I tried to make some positive changes: improve patient education process and build drug information database. I thought that the MCA should instruct patients more clearly and assure that patients understand how to take the medicine, especially the elderly. So I discussed with her the importance of patient education and the practice in Taiwan. Each time they let me to deliver medicine to patients, I instructed patients as clearly as I could to influence her. Then I observed her change. Once I saw that she did good job, I would admire her. I found that…she really changed!
In addition, they didn’t have any computer or reference book in the dispensary to help them check the drug-drug interaction or contraindication. I didn’t know if they care about the safety of medicines. So after obtaining their permission, I made a reference book for them. I collected all the package inserts in the dispensary, put them in order in a file, and marked the important points. Then I taught them how to use and renew the data. They were surprised and pleased to see the tool. I think it is the beginning to improve the patient’s medication safety.
In some regions, the practice may be very different from that in your city. Although it is not good enough, it works there. Don’t focus on their deficiency and difference. I was taught from the first day I entered Lilly that there is something you can control, something you can influence, and something you can just concern. Focus on the things that you can control and influence. Always believe that you can bring positive effects to the community. Set up a small goal by yourself. Don’t forget to open your eyes and mind. You will have a wonderful volunteer experience!
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