Brainstorming
So before I leave on my trip I just want to take the opportunity to sit down and lay out what I would like to learn while I am there and the types of questions I would like to ask. I researched "pharmacy in Turkey" and variations but could not come up with very much information on pharmacy or healthcare in general. Therefore, I have a lot to discover during my four weeks abroad!
Questions
- What is the role of a pharmacist?
- What are pharmacists' primary responsibilities?
- How do other healthcare providers (physicians, nurses) view pharmacists?
- What different types of pharmacy are available for practice (ex. community, industry, clinical)?
- How many hours do pharmacists work per week?
- What is a ballpark salary for a pharmacist?/Do pharmacists have to work multiple jobs to have an adequate salary?
- Do pharmacists have high job satisfaction?
- Is pharmacy a respected profession in the community?
- What is the pharmacist-patient relationship like?
- What is the process of obtaining and filling a prescription?/How are medications available (ex. unit dose, OTC)?
- How do over-the-counter products in the United States compare to over-the-counter products in Turkey?
- What is the education requirement to become a pharmacist (including types of class taken and degrees required)?/What are the licensure requirements (including cost, examinations, transferrable to other countries)?
- About how many pharmacies and pharmacists are in Turkey?
- What sorts of home remedies exist as a part of pharmaceutical care?
- How are pharmacies viewed by the public?
- What sorts of technology exist in community pharmacies?
- Do pharmacists counsel patients about their medications?
- What are the top ten medications dispensed by pharmacists in the community? In the hospital?
- How many patients is a pharmacist responsible for?
- What types of liability do pharmacists have?
- What types of healthcare providers are available in Turkey?
- How is the healthcare system structured?
- Is there healthcare insurance?/Who pays for it (private, public, or both)?/What does it cover versus what is paid out of pocket?
- What happens if someone cannot afford the healthcare they require?/Which individuals are the most vulnerable?
- How many hospitals are in Turkey (private and public)?
- Is there a difference in healthcare between various cities, regions, etc.?
- How are people transported to the hospital?
- Do family members visit people in the hospital/where do they stay?
- Are meals offered to hospitalized patients?
- What types of precautions are taken to control the spread of infection?
- Is the water used in hospitals purified?
- How often do people go to the doctor, receive a physical, or obtain medical treatment?
- Are there any special customs or practices surrounding healthcare?
- How accessible is healthcare to the average Turkish citizen?
- As a primarily Islamic country, what impact does religion have on healthcare (especially during Ramadan)?
- What sorts of technology exists in the healthcare systems?
- Are any prophylactic healthcare measures taken?
- What are the top ten disease states seen in the community? In the hospital?
- Generally speaking does Turkey have a strong healthcare system or does it require reform?
- What is the overall general view of healthcare by professionals versus average citizens?
Goals
The overarching goal of my experience is to compare pharmacy and healthcare in the United States to how it is practiced in Turkey.
- Gain a sense of pharmacy in Turkey
- Learn about the healthcare system and how it functions
- Discover what influences healthcare decisions
- Become aware of the educational path taken to become a pharmacist
- Observe what types of inter-professional relations occur within the healthcare setting
- See the role culture and customs can have on care
- Experience global healthcare and pharmacy exposing myself to new ideas and ways of thinking
"If at some point you don't ask yourself, 'What have I gotten myself into?' then you're not doing it right."
-Roland Gau
-Roland Gau