The Kenya rotation is unique since we are able to learn and grow in many facets of life, not just in pharmacy knowledge. In addition to pharmacy knowledge, I have gained cultural experiences, inter-professional experience, and the opportunity to assist with improving the system through individual projects.
The pharmacy knowledge gained is phenomenal. As students, we are able to round on teams with doctors nearly everyday. Also, the opportunity to use your clinical knowledge on the patient’s treatment is a great experience to build confidence but can also be challenging. This was my first rotation so I felt a bit overwhelmed in the beginning but patient discussions assisted me with thinking through regimens.
This rotation is also unique in the diverse areas of pharmacy it exposes to the students. I rounded in both the women and men wards. The medical issues dealt in both wards were different which exposed me to many disease states. I was also given the opportunity to round on the pediatrics ward. I really enjoyed seeing the children even though it is tough to see them suffering. Pediatrics is interesting because your patients have a greater chance of recovering than geriatric patients but if they do not recover it is so much more devastating. In addition to rounding on patients, I attended the oncology and diabetes clinics. The diabetes clinic showed me an ambulatory setting for a pharmacist. Additionally, we traveled to regional AMPATH clinics to assist in dispensing medication.
The impact we are able to make as pharmacy students is enormous in this setting. I am currently preparing a spreadsheet of oncology regimens which I will calculate the cost. The information will assist the oncology clinic at MTRH in creating updated oncology protocols. This project will affect each cancer patient in Eldoret and will maximize the use of resources.
This experience has taught me the difference in American and Kenyan cultures. I found American lifestyle to be more fast-paced and very systematic. Kenyan lifestyle is more slow-moving and runs on organized chaos. However, being in Kenya humbled me more than anything. In general, Kenyans cherish family and relationships more than material items. Learning the differences has taught me to have patience in a new setting and to become flexible in new systems.
The two months in Kenya are spent living with many people from different backgrounds but all with the purpose of enriching themselves in a new culture. I was able to live and travel with medical students and physicians from America and Canada. Many friendships were created in Kenya with a variety of people from all over the world. Also, I was able to learn how physicians make decisions and see their thought process. The inter-professional exposure was exceptional since it gave me experience working with a team of doctors, medical students, nurses and clinical officers.
The Kenya rotation was a once in a lifetime pharmacy and cultural experience. Interacting with people from a different culture taught me more about myself than I could ever imagine. Most importantly, I learned this experience is more about a bilateral exchange of ideas and not the Americans coming over to change everything.
Maria Thompson
PharmD Candidate, May 2009
