Susanna Fowler, third-year pharmacy student, completed her second-year introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) at the Tuscaloosa Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Check out what Susanna said about her experience below. ⏬
👉 What were the most valuable lessons or insights you gained during your institutional IPPE experience?
"The most valuable insight I gained during my Institutional IPPE at the Tuscaloosa VA was about how home-based primary care works. It is so important to have multiple different members of a healthcare team to treat a patient. Every healthcare professional will advocate for their patients in different ways, and getting to see different teams create plans was remarkable. As a student, I have learned how to better treat my future patients by focusing on what is important to them."
👉 What advice would you offer to other pharmacy students embarking on similar experiences?
"I would say to have an open mind. Be open to any and every experience that becomes available to you and be willing to do new things. Remind yourself why you are in pharmacy school. Remember that what you get out of every experience is what you put into it."
👉 What specific pharmacy practices or procedures did you learn or observe during your institutional IPPE that you believe could benefit other students?
"We got to spend time in three different areas of the VA. First, I saw home-based primary care out of Selma, then the inpatient pharmacy and the outpatient pharmacy. If you are interested in seeing a patient from the clinic all the way to their prescriptions being dispensed, then this is the perfect place to do your Institutional IPPE or APPEs."
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