Your Life is Like a Comic Book

By

Jeffrey K. Shinoda, Pharm.D.

As a child, I read plenty of comic books, mainly action hero-type comics, such as Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Iron Man. The other day, as I was speaking with my technician and patient care specialist, it occurred to me that as a pharmacist, I have much in common with these superheroes. That might be hard to believe, however, consider the situation of a comic book superhero.

First, the difference between a hero and a superhero is that a hero is acknowledged as the person who goes beyond the call of duty, someone of distinguished courage or ability. Society praises a hero for the good deeds, hence, why deemed a hero. If that same individual fails in some capacity, society is very forgiving, since the hero is human and will make errors. The hero can be identified with; therefore, the hero will be “cut some slack.” The hero will continue to be praised, even for his valiant efforts despite the outcome.

Now let us look into the character of the superhero. First, only the reader of the comic knows that he is a superhero. The superhero does his good deeds, or prevents huge mistakes or events from damaging the citizens in the story. Unlike the normal everyday hero, the good citizens are unaware of the interventions the superhero does to allow them to continue their daily existence. Why, you might ask? This is because in the comic book reality, the good citizens never know that the dangerous threat exists, nor do they know that our “superhero” intervenes to save the day. Now, does this storyline sound familiar?

Let us look at patients as the good citizens in a comic book story. Every day, a pharmacist is responsible for improving patients’ healthcare by intervening on the patients’ behalf, and possibly stops a life-threatening event from ever occurring, hence, protecting  the  “good” citizens in a “comic” book story. To improve patient outcomes and their quality of life, pharmacists prevent drug interactions and therapeutic duplications, as well as advise physicians on proper medication dosages, newer indications, current trends, and the latest studies. Patients are unaware of all that pharmacists do, akin to “Prescription Man” intervening to save the day. When the average hospital patient is at an outpatient pharmacy, the most-asked question for the pharmacist is, “What is taking so long? Can’t you guys hurry up?” The patient is unaware that a pharmacist is a part of their road to recovery.

In the comic book world, superheroes live by a “line” which describes the life of a superhero. For example, in the Spiderman comics, every reader knows that “with great powers, comes great responsibilities.” Every pharmacist knows that with the privilege to practice the art of pharmacy “comes” great responsibilities. Countless patients entrust their lives every day upon pharmacists. We are one of the very few people authorized to handle dangerous medications. We have the ability to write for and handle scheduled II-V medications. We have the authority and are expected to intervene on the patient’s behalf to avoid potential poor outcomes, and improve the quality of life for each person we provide our services.

Pharmacists, or shall I say “Prescription Man,” have their share of adversary opponents. For years, pharmacists have been battling against poly pharmacy. The average patient, as well as other healthcare providers, still does not know of our growing problem with our patients. Many providers are guilty of aiding poly pharmacy due to the prescriber’s cascade effect. With hope, time and education will change this pattern. However, pharmacists must continue to intervene for now. A bigger problem that we face is the “villain” “Mr. PBM.” “Mr. PBM” has worked very closely with another entity, “Corporate Giant.” The two have collaborated to make it very difficult to interact and provide quality patient care. “Corporate Giant” has worked against the professional component of the pharmacist for years. “Corporate Giant” has catered to the fact that patients want convenience, and for prescriptions to be “ready” in a timely manner. They have allowed “fast” service to become the standard, hence, buying into the mentality that a product be pushed rather than provide a professional service. “Corporate Giant” has devalued our professional role, and found our “kryptonite” in the form of contracts. They have teamed up with “Mr. PBM,” who has started to control our patients in a stealth mode, and eventually lead them to mandatory mail order and specialty pharmacies. However, is this “Prescription Man’s” end? I guess you will have to continue to “read the comics,” or shall I say, continue to live the comic book life to know the full story. Until then, I urge you to continue to be the superhero that you are, put on your white coat, armed with your clinical knowledge, and continue to make a difference in the lives of the people that you touch. I can honestly say that one day, your patients, and fellow healthcare providers, will know your identity.

Your Life is Like a Comic Book

By

Jeffrey K. Shinoda, Pharm.D.

As a child, I read plenty of comic books, mainly action hero-type comics,such as Superman,Batman, Spider-man, and Iron Man.

The other day I was speaking with my technician and patient care specialist. During the conversation it occurred to me that pharmacists have a lot in common with superheroes.

That might be hard to believe but consider the situation of a comic book superhero versus a hero..

A “hero” is acknowledged as a person who goes beyond the call of duty, usually someone of distinguished courage or ability. Society praises a hero for good deeds.

If that hero fails in some capacity, society is generally forgiving. The hero can make errors, it’s human nature.

Now let us examine the superhero. First, only the comic book reader knows a character is a superhero. The superhero does good deeds, prevents huge mistakes from every happening, keeps the world safe.

Unlike the hero, citizens are usually unaware of “superhero” interventions.

In the comic book world, citizens never know dangers ever existed. And, they certainly don’t know our “superhero” intervened to save the day.

Sound familiar?

Every day, a pharmacist is responsible for improving patients’ healthcare by intervening on the patients’ behalf.

In some cases possibly stopping a life-threatening event from ever occurring, definitely protecting the citizens. Pharmacists are there to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Pharmacists prevent drug interactions and therapeutic duplications, as well as advise physicians on proper medication dosages, newer treatments, current trends, and the latest studies.

Patients are unaware of all that pharmacists do, and that “Prescription Man” intervened to save the day.

The average hospital patient is unaware that a pharmacist was ever involved in the recovery process. They were unaware that while in the hospital, a pharmacist was dosing medications, adjusting medications, and calculating specific regimens for them.

In the comic book world, superheroes live by a “creed”. For example, in Spider-man comics, every reader knows that “with great powers, comes great responsibilities.”

Every pharmacist knows that with the privilege to practice the art of pharmacy also “comes” great responsibilities.

Through the development of “Prescription Man,” the reality of his superhero status will become more clear. Battling poly pharmacy-”Prescription Man” can explain.  There are the big “villains” “Mr. PBM.” “ and “Corporate Giant.” who work closely together. The two collaborate to make it very difficult to provide quality care for patients-”Prescription Man” is on the job.  Stay tuned.

To any pharmacists reading this, I urge you to remain a superhero, put on your white coat, armed with your clinical knowledge, and continue to make a difference in the lives of the people you touch.

I can honestly say that one day, your patients, and fellow healthcare providers, will know your true identity. If nothing else “Prescription Man” will let them know.