Our society thrives on instant satisfaction. It is a theme which I have covered numerous times over the years, but there is a related problem that proves to be just as frustrating.That being an inability to view things on a macro level... to see the big picture if you will.
I have an often unique perspective on the pharmacy world because I have contacts not only across this country, but across the world. Due to this, I often see individuals deriving conclusions about a situation solely from their own experiences. For example, if they are having difficulty finding employment, that must mean that it is difficult to find employment everywhere ergo, the profession is screwed!
Except that is not the case and, in fact, the severity of that particular situation tends to be highly localized.
As the world has grown smaller and we have become more blended society, many have regressed and begun to view their world in a local manner. Perhaps it is an attempt to hold onto times gone by, but it is an odd observation as much as it is distressing.
And it's something which must be negated sooner rather than later.
One of the reasons I enjoy chemistry, and happen to be good at it, is that you are forced to see the big picture in order to understand a topic. For instance, we've been covering enzyme kinetics the last few lectures and the discussion drifted over confusion over why a specific amino acid, Serine-195, was so important in the action of chymotrypsin.
The screen at the front of the hall displayed the related sequence and shape of the molecule. Many around me sat trying to figure out what made that particular site special. It took me all of ten seconds to realize that it had to do with the residues surrounding it... i.e. looking at the larger picture.
Sure enough, there is a triad effect with the surrounding residues that explains why this site is preferred.
In class we will be continually taught to look beyond the obvious. We are but a very small subset of the overall population and cannot speak for the majority.
Individuals flock to shows with hosts like Dr. Oz, Glenn Beck or Oprah because of the over-the-top, sensational set of advice or story they present. Most people take that at face value and move on with their life without ever truly thinking about what, or why, something was said.
That particular example is one of the reasons working retail pharmacy is so difficult. No matter how calmly and effectively we explain something, as soon as Dr. Phil goes off on a well worded rant (and lets face it, he's a pretty good orator) what we have said is immediately forgotten. Suddenly whatever has the most pop, if you will, becomes fact.
I believe the clinical term is "A Deficiency of Analytical Thought Processes."
That's why I respect a man like Jon Stewart, even if I do not always agree with his ideals. He is one of the few individuals who is trying to curb precisely what I am describing here.
Opening one person's eyes to the entirety that is the world is but one small victory. It is something that I try to do on a daily basis. If I had a personal soundboard, that would be one of the most well worn switches.
So do me a favor, the next time you're getting worked up or enveloped in an idea or situation, take step back and try and view things for what they really are. The world will be a slightly better place.
Trust me.
2 comments:
But it's so much easier to look at the little picture, thereby supporting one's own warped perception.
Agreed.
I'm unfortunately often put in the position of telling patients and physicians that a medication they want will not be covered by their insurance. This is usually not something that is taken well. Prescribers tend to see it as a second-guessing or dismissal of their diagnostic skills and medical opinion. Patients treat it as though they're being stripped of something their entitled to to fatten the bottom line of an insurance company.
A rather narrow view to be honest.
The bigger picture is that an insurance plan doesn't just have an obligation to pay for one person's care, but often millions. In the case of Medicaid plans, where things like this is common, they're doing so on a shoestring budget - and that budget is frequently covering the complete cost of the drug.
On our side there's almost an imperative to try to find the big picture. Few doctors select drugs impulsively (though enough do the cause problems). Digging around and forming a coherent picture of a medical case can make a dramatic difference in getting something covered. Sometimes this is easy, sometimes like pulling teeth. Sometimes it gets you accused of being a baby killer for asking about bacterial culture reports.
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