Welcome to this week’s edition of i2P (Information to Pharmacists) commencing Monday 12 January 2015.
Sluggishly, it seems we are beginning to awaken from holiday excesses and face a brave new world in 2015.
It would seem disappointingly to i2P that many pharmacists did not progress professionally in 2014, leaving the New Year as having to play catch-up.
Not an ideal position given the weight of competition from both the retail sector and the healthcare sector.
We can see the medical profession closing in on “wearable tech” and building a self care patient alliance that will completely isolate pharmacy in its own backyard.
There is no excuse for this because we hold a lot of natural advantage,
Yet we seem to be playing an endless game of “wait and see” before a commitment is made in any direction.
Maybe some wise words by marketing guru Seth Godin will clarify your thoughts.
Uncertainty is not the same thing as risk
“Often, the most important work we do doesn’t bring a guaranteed, specific result. Usually, the result of any given action on our part is unknown.
Uncertainty implies a range of possible outcomes.
But a range of results, all uncertain, does not mean you are exposing yourself to risk. It merely means you’re exposing yourself to an outcome you didn’t have a chance to fall in love with in advance.
A simple example: the typical high school student applying to a range of colleges has very little risk of getting in nowhere. Apply to enough schools that match what you have to offer, and the odds are high indeed you’ll get in somewhere. Low risk but a very high uncertainty about which college or colleges will say yes.
That’s not risky. That’s uncertain. It takes fortitude to live with a future that’s not clearly imagined, but it’s no reason not to apply.
Another example: If you speak to 100 people, it’s uncertain which 40 people will be impacted by what you say. But the risk that you will resonate with no one is small indeed.
The question to ask every organization, manager, artist or yourself is, “are you hesitating because you’re not sure the future will match your specific vision, or is there truly a project-endangering risk here?”
A portfolio of uncertain outcomes is very different from a large risk.”
You all need to do something, now!
As we move forward into 2015, i2P reports that its readership profile has changed slightly, with the following percentages reflecting the break-up.
Australia 78.8% ; USA 14.3% ; New Zealand 2.0% ; Japan 1.8% Barbados 1.5%
USA continues to show steady gains and New Zealand is now on the radar.
UK remains elusive at this point, but will hopefully improve when we begin better reportage on actual clinical services movement.
We have some good material again for your consumption and we point to the article on Physician Assistants now at bachelor degree status in Australia, and your new competitor in the primary health care and self-care space.
Better educated, and the medical profession hot on the trail of permanent funding for them – just watch this space.
Don’t you just love the doctor version of collaboration?
Out of respect for the Paris-based journalists who were tragically murdered in the exercise of a basic democratic freedom, we have run some material surrounding these events. In the process of examining the attitudes and values involved in this horrible clash of cultures, we were interested to note that a similar attitude has been taking hold here in Australia organised through right-wing medical Skeptics.
They too would deny freedom of expression and thought and an example is illustrated where a group of pro-vaccination doctors and academics have pressured politicians to revoke a visa issued to a US osteopath (Dr Sherri Tenpenny) who is attempting to visit Australia to give a brief lecture tour on the dangers inherent in some (not all) vaccines.
I am disgusted at the behaviour and values of this group.
That it is happening here in Australia is unthinkable!
Gerald Quigley has a contribution titled: Lifestyle medicine – the right idea at the right time
Peter Sayers has an article on dispensary design that flows from his article last week. Look for: Pharmacy by Design – Reinventing the Dispensary
Social commentator Harvey Mackay has a self evident article titled: Life is what you make it
Loretta Marron has an article on magnets. Should these be in pharmacy inventories? See article: Magnets – good for your home and car but what about you?
Our staff writer has researched an article relating to digital care and states: Digitally enabled care is fundamental to quality care
The more inventive and creative talent among readers will find interesting: E-Commerce Giant May Interest Pharmacy Inventors
A recent research report claims consumers want to be wired up. Read: Health Consumers Want Connected Devices
And finally. NPS Medicinewise has an article on drug photosensitivity. See: MEDICINES CAN MAKE SKIN MORE SENSITIVE TO THE SUN: NPS MEDICINEWISE
Plenty to read and keep you occupied until another edition rolls around in another week.
Neil Johnston
i2P Editor
12 January, 2015