Name: Siti Hamizah Binti Mohd Ashar

Matric number: A188116

Date: 9/8/2024

2. How is your progress?

For week 2. I started my first hands on of Batik with the guidance of my supervisor as well as the staff from Jadi Batek which is Koreen and Kak Izzah. I was mostly taught by Kak Izzah as my supervisor, Koreen is quite busy with the Batik sales at the front lobby. Firstly, Kak Izzah ask if I have any pattern to draw in mind, As I didn’t have any pattern yet, Jadi Batek provide a few pattern that I can choose. After that based on the pattern that I have chosen, I draw it on the A3 cotton cloth using a pencil colour. Once I done, Kak Izzah taught me how to use Batik canting stencil. She demonstrated it to me first. Then, she gave me a pre-draw paper where I practiced waxing on it first. Once I gain my confidence, I start to wax on my drawn A3 cotton cloth. Once I done Kak Izzah touch up the mess that I did. After that Kak Izzah taught me how to colour it using basic colours. She also demonstrated first and observed me doing it and correct me if I am colouring it with wrong technique. Lastly, the fixing staff will fixed my first Batik artwork which the final piece I can see it 3 days later.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

Firstly, once I took the wax from the pot I should quickly draw it (wax) on the cloth as the wax can hardened especially if we do Batik at air-conditioned place.

Secondly, I should draw (wax) the pattern quite thick and not too thin as the colour can seep through if the wax is too thin. This can affect the pattern and can cause the Batik final look to be as not pretty.

Thirdly, how to mix 3 basic colours which is blue, yellow and red to produce another colour. For instance, to produce green, I have to mix blue and yellow or if I want to have brown I should mix blue and red. There are more colour that I have learn to produce from 3 basic colours.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I am much more excited for this week 2 compared to week 1, since I already started with hands on. I am also thankful of my supervisor, Koreen and Jadi Batek staff, Kak Izzah for patiently teaching me Batik technique and explaining again all the information of Batik that they already taught me in week 1. They also not once scold me if I make mistake such as that one time as I am too distracted which causes I to drop wax on the floor. They just patiently told me that it is okay, and I should focus when I am handling wax and should not be distracted.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

By learning waxing which is applying hot wax to the fabric along the drawn pattern is a meticulous task that demands steady hand and careful attention. As a medical student and future health professional, I think this a good thing as it can enhance my focus which is crucial in medical practice. Other than that, it also improves my patience. As sometimes the wax hardened quickly, I must get up multiple times from my seat to refill my wax or sometimes I can’t even have a seat. Patience is important trait as health professionals as we always communicate with each other thus we need patience to ensure no misunderstandings happen. Patience is also needed when handling difficult patients.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

It was difficult for me to control the wax and applying it on drawn patterns. Sometimes my lines is too thin and sometimes it too thick that it affected the pattern which make me feeling sad and anxious. I try to cope this by comforting myself that it is understandable that I am making mistakes since this is my first time and I will improve by week 3.

7. Your plan for next week 

As I have basic technique of applying wax, drawing and colouring of Batik on cotton canvas. For the third week under supervision of my supervisor I can explore my own creativity of Batik on tote bag. My supervisor will help me throughout the process. She will help me if my chosen patten is not suitable for Batik or my technique is wrong. The goal of the third week is for me to master and familiarise myself more with technique of applying wax, drawing and colouring of Batik.

Congratulations you are already in the Week 2 of EP journey!

Please write, upload pictures/videos (lots of them please!), and share your journey with your friends. Like & comment on others sharing too!

1. Your name, matric number, date

2. How is your progress?

3. Points to remember from week 2!

4. Your feelings & thoughts

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

2. How is your progress?

   I am getting better at adapting to the pharmacy setting. I can immediately tell the location of medications especially fever, cough and flu medications whenever customers come to the pharmacy. This also include the location of each brand of medication for each health complaint. I believe that this is a huge improvement for me because I still remember how clueless I am about the medication arrangement during my first week at the pharmacy. Besides, I can also complete the poison record book by myself now without the guidance of my co-worker or supervisor.

   I learned a lot about common medications bought by customers. I was being taught on how to count the correct dosage for Paracetamol syrup. In order to count the dosage of this medication, I need to ask for the weight of patient and insert the weight into a specific formula for Paracetamol syrup. I was also being taught on how to consult a customer properly. For example, if a customer come to buy medicine for cough, I need to ask the duration of the cough and the characteristic of the cough which is either dry cough or cough with phlegm. This is because there are different kind of medication for dry cough and cough with the presence of phlegm. Other than that, there are certain medications that can cause drowsiness such as the one that contain chlorpheniramine. Hence, I need to ask if the customer is fine with having a medication that can cause drowsiness or they prefer the one that does not cause drowsiness. From my observation, adult customers prefer to have medication that does not cause drowsiness because they do not want the side effect to affect their daily lives.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

   • Whenever a customer come to buy medication, it is very important to ask whether the medication is for adult or children. Firstly, it is because there are medication that are not suitable for certain age group. Secondly, it is because we need to determine the correct dosage to be given to the patient. For example, we need to know the weight of children to count the dosage for fever medication.

   • Certain medications can only be bought with a prescription from a doctor such as antibiotics. Hence, I need to be careful before dispensing any medication to customer or patient.

   • I need to acquired customers’ personal details such as full name, identity card number and address when the medication that they are going to buy contains pseudoephedrine.

   • I need to remind customers to not combine fever syrup or any medication that contain Paracetamol with Paracetamol suppository.

   • Different brands may be available for drugs with the same ingredient and dosage. Hence, we can always suggest other brands to customers if the brand that they are looking for is out of stock.

     
     

4. Your feelings & thoughts

   It is very exciting to come to work every day because I get to learn a lot of new things from my supervisor and co-workers at the pharmacy. I feel extremely motivated to consult with more customers and provide them with the medications they need. It is such a rewarding feeling when I get to dispense medication by myself. I realize that I need to have a wide range of skills to work in a pharmacy. It's not just about communication and problem-solving skills, but I also need to have entrepreneurial skills because a pharmacy is very much a business.

   
   

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now

   I learned how to have good communication skills whenever I am trying to get a brief history of presenting illness from customers. This history is very crucial in determining the most appropriate medication for the customers. This skill can also be applied in my life as a medical student. As a medical student, I will meet a lot of patients in the hospital. I can apply this communication skill to get a thorough history about patients' illness. Developing strong communication skills now will give me a solid foundation for interacting with patients in the future. I now understand how to ask more focused questions and listen attentively to the details provided by patients, which is essential in diagnosing and treating conditions accurately. By learning to ask the right questions and actively listening, I can gather more accurate information, which is essential for making informed decisions about patient care. This experience will not only improve my ability to work in a pharmacy setting but also make me a more effective and empathetic healthcare provider as I progress through my medical training.

   
   

6. Any difficulties/ concerns? How did you cope?

   I was being scheduled for night shift 5 days out of 6 days of my working day. There were a lot of customers at night compared to morning. Thus, I have to deal with a huge number of customers during my second week. I noticed that I tend to feel very nervous when there was a sudden surge of customers. At that specific moment, I tend to rush things a lot because I do not want the customer to wait for a long time. However, Miss Melissa, Kak Nana and Nad always tell me to remain calm to avoid any mistakes in my work. To cope with this issue, I always let the customers know that I am new to the pharmacy and ask for their understanding. I always say sorry to the customer if I make them wait for a long time.

   
   

7. Your plan for next week (week 3)

   • I plan to learn more about painkiller, medications for diarrhoea, medications for constipation and oral contraceptive pills.

   • I want to make sure that I can handle the cash register smoothly.

   • I also plan to involve myself in stock-checking as well as stock arrangements.

Nur Batrisya binti Sharifuddin

A188557

9/8/2024

2. How is your progress?

My second week went smoothly. I am no longer making mistakes and can confidently manage the cashier on my own. I also completed the second module of training. I have been studying hard to familiarize myself with the drugs, and it’s paying off as I can now find medications on the poison shelf more quickly. This week, my supervisor asked me to do stocktaking. Since it was my first time, I found it tedious, as I had to tally the stock available with the amounts listed in the Point of Sale (POS) system. It is a given fact that pharmacy have all kinds of medications and products so I need to count each item individually. I managed to cover five racks this week, which was a new experience for me. Additionally, I helped label prices for new stock. I actually enjoyed this task because it brought me a sense of calm and serenity.After labeling, we immediately arranged the new items on the shelves.

The pharmacy I am working at has many branches, so they hold weekly online meetings where suppliers promote their products and explain related diseases. For example, this week’s talk was about GERD, and the supplier promoted a product that contains both antacid and alginate that forms a “raft” in the stomach. Honestly, sessions like these make me miss having classes with lecturers.

This week, I also experienced my first night shift. I was prepared for the high volume of customers during late evening and night, as many come after work. Despite this, I managed to handle them well. What I gained from “closing” is that it involves counting the cash notes, calculating the commission for each worker, and ensuring there is no cash shortage.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

• Some medications are sold by strips rather than by the box, so charge the strip price in the POS system.

• For medications, give out those closest to their expiration date to clear stock, but make sure to ask the customer which brand they prefer.

• Thoroughly ask customers if they are purchasing pseudoephedrine drugs due to their potential for misuse.

• When labeling, ensure that the item price matches the price on the shelf, since the shelf price may not always be updated.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

My second week has been a period of growth and learning. I am feeling more confident in my abilities and really enjoying the range of responsibilities I have taken on. This week, I have become better at handling tasks on my own. This has been a big confidence booster for me.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

One thing I am focusing on now is being accurate in how I manage inventory and dispensing medications. As a medical student, I understand how crucial it is to be careful, whether it is interpreting lab results or checking patient information. In the pharmacy, being precise with medication is just as important. I need to make sure that the right medication is given to the right customer and that it is done safely to avoid any harm. This attention to detail helps me practice the careful approach needed in my study and career, ensuring that everything is handled safely for the patients.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

One difficulty I have faced is seeing people walk away because they don’t have enough money to buy their medications. It was really tough to watch, especially since medications can be so expensive. This has made me realize that not everyone has easy access to the medication they need, which has taught me to be more grateful for the resources I have.

To address this matter, I try to suggest cheaper alternatives if there are any. I also recommend that they visit Klinik Kesihatan, where they might be able to get the medication for free or at a lower cost. It feels good to know that I can offer some options to those who might be struggling.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

• Master the documentation of Poison B and pseudoephedrine medications.

• Participate in health screening activities.

• To get more comfortable interacting with customers, especially when it comes to advising them on their medication options.

• To learn more about point of sale (POS) system.

  
  

Name: Ong Jia Xuan

Matric Number: A188151

Date: 9/8/2024

2.  How is your progress?

This week, I interacted with some customers and performed cashier duties independently. I also tried to answer phone calls and contact customers who had ordered items from us.

The pharmacy that I attached has a total of 6 outlets. We will do stock-rotation every day if some items are out of stock. I did “Transfer Out” or so-called stock rotations to other outlets. I will create and send out invoices as well as wrap the items properly before handing them over to our company driver. Some fragile items should be handled carefully, so wrapping them with bubble wrap is essential.

Besides rotating items to other outlets, we will also receive rotated items from other outlets. I will ensure the items sent to us are accurate and tally in quantity. The expiry date should also be jotted down once we receive the item. Then, we shall check whether it is a pre-ordered item from the customers. If not, it is fine to place them on to the rack.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

We should always ask for customers’ membership first before proceeding to payment. As members will have certain discounts and benefits.

I also learned how to convince customers to apply for our membership by telling them the benefits of it. This is to ensure customers’ loyalty towards our pharmacy as well for record purposes.

At the end of the second week, I can recognize most of the products in the shop. This helps me a lot when doing restocking and also serving customers.

4. Your feelings & thoughts 

By this time, I can handle the daily routines and responsibilities of the pharmacy independently. Tasks that seemed overwhelming at first might now feel more manageable, and I have been gaining confidence in my ability to perform them effectively. My interactions with the pharmacy staff became more comfortable and collaborative. I hope I can build stronger relationships with my colleagues and learn more from their experiences and insights.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you could practice now!

One good thing that I can practice now is to be a better listener. Paying close attention to customers’ concerns and questions to understand their needs fully. At the same time, we should show compassion and understanding towards patients, which helps to build trust and improves their overall experience. This can also apply to history taking, whereby we manage to know more about patients’ concerns and problems. At the same time, have a better understanding of the biopsychosocial aspect of the patient.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

I encountered a customer who was adamant about buying a product at a lower price. Initially, we explained that we had already applied member discounts to her purchase. Despite this, she insisted that she had previously bought the item from us at a lower price. We checked her purchase history but couldn't find any record of such a transaction. Realizing that she might have bought it from another branch, we called our nearest branch to investigate. At the end, we discovered that she had purchased the item from the other branch at a lower price quoted by our boss. In the end, we matched the price for her. From this incident, I learned how to solve problems through critical thinking. We should always try our best and think of any possibilities before judging something.

7.  Your plan for next week (Week 3)

I wish to assist in inventory management tasks, such as conducting inventory counts, monitoring stock levels, and placing orders for medications and supplies. I also hope to assist pharmacists in conducting medication reviews, identifying drug interactions, and providing counselling to patients on medication use and adherence.

1. Your name, matric number, date

Thasleema Binti Shazahan

 A188599

11/8/2024

2. How is your progress?

My progress has been steady and productive. I’ve been able to understand the different groups of poisons categorized as Over-the-Counter, Group A, Group B, and Group C. My supervisor advised me to refer to verified websites in google as well as Monthly Index of Medical Specialties or MIMS which is a pharmaceutical prescribing reference guide for the indication and contraindication of drugs. I also learned that I need to ask certain types of questions before giving out medication such as for whom the medication is, do they have any allergies, kidney problems, how long they have been taking the medication and so on. For example, if the patient asked for cough syrup, I need to ask whether they have diabetes or not so that if they have diabetes, I can give sugar free cough syrup which is suitable for them. I also have encountered a patient with paracetamol allergy, so they need to be given ibuprofen. This hands-on experience has significantly enhanced my understanding of medication management. Moreover, I am also taking blood pressure, capillary blood glucose, uric acid and total cholesterol level measurement of patients.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

I have to remember that not every type of medication is suitable for everyone, so I need to ask further questions before giving them the medication. I also need to refer to the indication and contraindication of the drugs so that the medications are suitable for the patients. Furthermore, I also must remember the correct technique of measuring capillary blood glucose, total cholesterol and uric acid as well as their normal range so that I can tell them whether their levels are in the normal range or not. Besides that, products’ expiry date must be regularly checked so that expired products and nearly expired products can be removed immediately. 

4. Your feelings & thoughts 

During Week 2, I felt both challenged and inspired. Initially, the understanding on what type of Over-the-Counter medications that need to be given to the patients is hard but now I am working on it. My supervisor and the pharmacy’s staff helped me a lot. Now, I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of this knowledge for patient safety.

Besides that, learning about indications and contraindications of drugs highlighted the critical role pharmacists play in ensuring safe medication use. Although it was demanding, I felt a growing sense of responsibility and accomplishment as I recognized the real-world impact of what I was learning. This week reinforced my commitment to mastering these essential skills.

 5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

One useful thing I have learned that I can put into practice right now is making sure to ask important questions before prescribing over-the-counter medicine. This is to ensure that I take into account each patient's problems and potential allergies to provide them the safest and most appropriate medication. I will be able to provide more effective and individualized care by doing this on a regular basis. This will help to make sure that patients receive the proper medication for their specific needs. By this, I am not only protecting the health of my patients but also fostering their confidence in my professional abilities.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Communication with patients was difficult, particularly when addressing their concerns and understanding their medical history. Patients often have varied communication styles and levels of health literacy, which can complicate the process. To cope with this, I used simple language and focused on active listening to ensure that I fully understood their concerns before responding. My supervisor and pharmacy’s staff helped me a lot especially when the patient only knew Chinese language. Besides that, understanding indication and contraindication of over-the- counter medication was hard but I am practicing it by going through the verified website as well as by asking my supervisor. 

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

I'll be concentrating on a few main topics in Week 3 to improve both my communication and pharmaceutical skills. In order to confirm the appropriateness of prescriptions, I need to practice reading and validating prescription forms by making sure the dosage and patient information are accurate. I will do this under the supervision of my supervisor. I'll take part in patient counselling sessions and assist patients in understanding their drugs in order to enhance my communication abilities. I'll learn and put counselling strategies into practice to explain how to take medications, possible side effects, and adherence. I will also watch and take part in quality checks to guarantee proper dispensing, as well as help with the preparation and labelling of pharmaceuticals during the distribution process. Participating in these activities will improve my capacity to safely and efficiently prescribe drugs.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

This week, I felt more confident and integrated into the team. My increased involvement in patient interactions gave me a sense of fulfillment as I was able to directly contribute to their care. However, I also realized the responsibility that comes with this role, which can be daunting. I’m beginning to see how all the different tasks at the pharmacy come together to ensure patients receive the best care possible. The learning curve is still steep, but I’m more comfortable with the routine and excited about the progress I’m making.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

This week, I became more proficient in the inventory management system, particularly in tracking and updating stock levels. This is a valuable skill that I can continue to practice and refine. By mastering this system, I can contribute more effectively to maintaining an organized and well-stocked pharmacy, ensuring that medications are always available when needed and reducing the risk of stock outs or overstocking.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

One of the challenges I faced this week was managing the pressure of filling prescriptions accurately and efficiently, especially during busy periods. To cope, I focused on staying calm and methodical, ensuring that I followed the procedures step by step. I also made it a point to ask for help whenever I was uncertain about something, rather than rushing and risking an error. Additionally, I continued to study medication names and uses during my free time to build my confidence and speed in the prescription process.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

In Week 3, I plan to deepen my involvement in the pharmacy’s daily operations by taking on more independent tasks. One key area of focus will be improving my efficiency in filling prescriptions while maintaining a high level of accuracy. I aim to streamline my workflow by better organizing the tasks at hand, which will help me manage my time more effectively during busy periods. Additionally, I intend to enhance my communication skills, particularly in handling complex patient queries or concerns. This will involve practicing active listening, asking clarifying questions, and ensuring that patients leave the pharmacy with a clear understanding of their medications.

Sharifah Mirzawidad binti Syed Mokhsain

A188643

Date: 11/8/2024

2. How is your progress?

Coming to work has become a bit easier for me as I am familiar with my surroundings. I wasn’t as clueless as before and I think I have made a better progress in remembering things. I can pick up what the customer was asking the pharmacist for after a few times of observing and listening. During my hands-on experience in the pharmacy, I have made significant progress in various aspects of medication management. I think I wasn’t as nervous as before at the end of the second week to help prepare the medications under the supervision of my pharmacist, ensuring accuracy and safety in dispensing prescriptions. I have also actively participated in inventory management tasks, such as ordering stock, organizing shelves such as arranging them to similar symptoms and types, and monitoring the expiration dates, which has enhanced my understanding of efficient stock control and inventory optimization. I learned the value of thorough record-keeping for compliance and patient safety, having gained expertise with pharmaceutical labelling and documentation. This hands-on practical exposure has strengthened my skills and increased my confidence in handling pharmacy operations effectively.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

·      When organising and restocking over-the-counter medications on the shelves, always put the old one in front and the new one at the back.

·      Medications with similar indications and side effects must be arranged closely for easier access instead of arranging them according to their company and brand.

·      Pharmacy is not just all about knowing what each medication works for what system, but it is also about soft skills in proper documentation and thorough preparation with precision.

·      Ordering stock must be done as frequently and quickly as possible to avoid running out of medications at the end of the month and dosage and units must be written.              

·      Medications brand that needed to be order must tally with the medications that patient always receive at the hospital or nearby clinic since they always wanted to buy the exact one that they get prescription from.                                                                                                               

4. Your feelings & thoughts

 It felt good gaining familiarity with different types of medications and their uses. As time goes by, I experienced a combination of excitement and nervousness as I engaged in medication dispensing practices. Working under the guidance of my supervisor, I felt grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply my academic knowledge to real-world scenarios. It gave me a sense of responsibility even as doing such a small task like arranging the medication in their right section and labelling the correct prices for different things. Taking part in inventory management activities like shelf organizing, stock ordering, and expiration date tracking helped me understand how intricate pharmacy operations are and how crucial it is to pay attention to details.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

Multitasking.Gaining the skill of multitasking is incredibly beneficial and can enhance both my professional performance and personal growth. I think being able to multitask now allows me to juggle various responsibilities efficiently, such as processing prescriptions, managing inventory, and assisting customers and this helps me by staying productive and meet the demands of a busy pharmacy environment. It also helps me to adapt to changes in workload and prioritize tasks effectively and it boost my confidence in handling complex situations such as attending to customer while packing the medicine and filling the prescripstions.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

 I do feel nervous at times in making sure I have placed the right medications at the right section. I also felt challenged at times, particularly when I am navigating the fast-paces environment during peak hours such as lunch hour and at night, but each challenge motivated me to improve and learn more. I guess how I cope with my nervousness is just by facing them, for me it is alright to make mistakes as long as you have the intention to improve. Such mistakes like forgetting which rack I was supposed to put them can always be solved by taking my time in identifying how they look like again and again.Or such mistakes as labelling the wrong prices for the wrong item and forgetting to write the dosage when ordering for stock will always be overcome by double checking it.Overall, this experience has been incredibly rewarding, boosting my confidence and inspiring me to pursue a career in medicine with even greater enthusiasm.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

My plan is to continue familiarising myself with all the medications and become more efficient in labelling them as well as arranging them in the right places by reducing time taken by 15%. I would like to involve myself more with dispensing prescriptions and patient interactions next week and try to talk business with them about trying new product that we have such as hydration cream, vitamin E cream, vitamin D supplement for their bones and prompt them for regular check-ups.