MY EXTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE — PT 2

DAY 2 — 17TH JULY 2024

Hi there, It’s me again and I’m on the afternoon shift once again. I arrive at the pharmacy premises by 12 p.m., get changed into my waistcoat, take my notebook and pen, and head to the pharmacist’s office.

As I get into the office, I say hello to him and settle in, while my friend clocks out ’cause it’s the end of her shift. Today I forgot my nose mask, so there was no shield to hide my reactions. 😅😅

Well, patients kept on coming, and as usual, I observed while asking questions and getting asked questions.

Highlights of this particular shift 1. I noticed patients come, and in the course of conversations, i heard them suggest drugs to the pharmacist, not from an informed standpoint. And it was intriguing because if you knew what to do, why see the pharmacist? For validation? lol, just my thoughts, sha.

2. Again, this is not a scientifically proven fact, but from my observations today and yesterday, I think the average Nigerian has an ulcer. And this season, typhoid and malaria are a whole lot.

3. A man came in with chickenpox and needed to get an IV injection, and the pharmacist used a scalp vein to infuse the injection. When I asked why, he said he didn’t want to make too much contact with his skin; that was a way of protecting himself from being exposed to the infection. He also made sure to sanitize his hands afterward. Moral lesson: pay attention and be cautious.

4. Another lady came in with a complaint of pain and some blisters and rash coming out on her hand, and I was a little scared because it looked bad, but anyway, we can’t lose composure. 😎 She got meds and left.

5. Someone recognized me from the University hostel.

6. This man came with his son and their test results and they were both malaria positive. When asked for his choice of medication, he said, “Injection is okay for the boy but not for me.”😂 Apparently, Daddy didn’t like injections for whatever reason, and I just found it funny.

7. Another man came and said he had joint pain in his shoulder and asked for a maasgae 😂😂 Naso the pharmacist turn massage therapist. Anyway, she massaged it a little and prescribed medications for him.

8. Last highlight: I tried using the manual syphygmomanometer and I’m very sure I didn’t get the reading correctly but baby steps. ☺️

And so day two comes to an end, after seeing quite a number of patients. It was an interesting and insightful day.

Sha note that patients will want to whine you sometimes but don’t panic. 😎

PS: At some point you’ll notice the pharmacist becomes a she, well the first pharmacist I met wrapped up his shift and a new pharmacist came while I was still on my shift.

Yours-in-externship,

Vickie.