Happy birthday Christina!

A very happy birthday to Christina Andros celebrated with a candle in mango sticky rice from the floating market!

Damnoen Floating Market

Today, we took a 2 hour van ride outside of Bangkok to the Damnoen floating market. Here we got on bloats and were taken along the canal to see all the different vendors that were set up for the day. They were selling food, drinks, clothing, artwork, and many souvenirs. We had many opportunities to use our bartering skills and bring home some wonderful gifts.
















We also had the chance the try many new foods including coconut cakes, sesame seed crepes, and coconut ice cream. Everything was delicious! 

Cultural Immersion: Transportation

As we wrap-up our first week in Thailand, even though education is our primary goal, cultural immersion, and really trying to get to experience a new country is also important! A huge part of cultural immersion is transportation. As we had learned earlier this week, the number traffic accidents in Thailand is number two in the WORLD, so knowing how to safely get from here to there is important! There are cars, Tuk Tuks, motorcycles, cabs, water taxis and tour busses, so when getting from here to there, it is important to chose the right form of transportation! For tourists in small groups, taking a cab is usually the safest and cheapest way to go! However, we have learned that in Thailand, you actually have to ask the driver to turn on the meter before you get in the cab! The drivers will ask where you are going before making the decision to turn it on, and if they don't like the distances, they say no to the meter and you're on to the next!

This is a photo of a Tuk Tuk taken on the street!  

A typical family with a child riding in front of the mother and toddler being held by the father on a motorbike 

Final day at Siriraj Hospital

Today marked our last day at Siriraj hospital. We began our day in one of the pediatrics unit in the hospital. This was a very unique experience because it was really the first time I dealt with pediatric small dosing and TPNs. In all my previous IPPEs and APPEs I have not stepped foot into a pediatrics unit or prepared TPNs. Many of my classmates with hospital experience are familiar with TPN preparation but I was not. So I was very excited to have done the data entry and verification of a TPN order for the first time today. At that point I thought this would be the highlight of my day. I would have to wait for later in the afternoon for that!

In the afternoon, we went on a guided tour of the various museum buildings on the hospital campus with the deputy director of pharmacy. Each building was part of the Siriraj Museum but focused on different things. Some of the buildings we went to focused on medical science and had exhibits that showed birth defects, cancers, and diseases such as TB. As a pharmacy student, it was cool to be able to see visuals of cancer cells, TB damaged lungs and conjoined twins. Other buildings we went to were dedicated to showing the history of Thailand and the hospital. This included a 3-D experience based in a train station and seeing an ancient boat that was unearthed during the construction of the hospital. This was a great way to end our experience at Siriraj hospital.

Every individual we meet at Siriraj hospital welcomed us to their country and hospital with open arms. I have never been welcomed into a community as warmly and quickly as I was at Siriraj. It was very sad leaving Siriraj hospital for the last time time today, but I am also excited for our next experience!

                                                 

Home Visits

We participated in patient home visits today. Community pharmacists and pharmacy students visit patient's homes to increase adherence to medications and manage their disease states. Community pharmacies usually act as primary care sites since clinics and hospitals are over crowded. Blood glucose testing, blood pressure testing, and disease state screenings are some of the services community pharmacies can provide while in the pharmacy or in patient's homes.

Ramathibodi Hospital

Today was day 2 at Ramathibodi Hospital! So far we have visited the dispensing pharmacy, compounding pharmacy, pediatrics unit, epilepsy unit, cardiology, OB-GYN, EENT, oncology, transplant, and ambulatory care clinics. It has been really interesting to see how hospitals in Thailand serve their patients. We have learned a lot about treating patients and respecting culture. Many aspects within the Thailand health care system seemed similar to the health care system back home, however, there are many differences. In Thailand, a "buy one get one free" promotion was going on with appointments in order to increase attendance for follow up visits; this would never be offered back home. I found it interesting that the students in Thailand studied from the same text books we use and they were even written in English. All the medical terms are also not translated into Thai; this made it very interested to look at medical records and forms. Can't wait to go back tomorrow!

Ambulatory Care Clinic: Heart Failure

Today marked Day 2 of hospital visits! Devon C, Daniel, Christina A and Jennifer spent the day shadowing five pharmacists in various ambulatory care clinics. To start the day, in the Heart Failure clinic, they were able to speak with the cardiologist in the clinic, observe two patient appointments, and learn more through a lecture as to a Pharmacist's role in the heart failure clinic. They learned how they educate their patients on the multi-medication regimen needed to treat Heart Failure, asses compliance by counting tablets that patients bring from home, and lastly, addressing any potential side effects the patient may be having. What a rewarding and informative part of the day!

This is one of two markers used for the patients with heart failure for their 6 Minute Walk Test