May, 2024
Dear Colleagues,
One of my life hacks is to take pictures. If I need to do something, I take a picture. If I need to buy something, I take a picture. If I find something interesting, I take a picture. The photos on my phone are an eclectic mix including my children, recipes, household products to buy, possible gift ideas and things to sell (yay for getting married and combining households!). However, I have two photos from my time attending ASHP’s Strategic Planning retreat in early April that I would like to describe and share with you.
We discussed issues surrounding primary care in the United States including the shortage of primary care physicians and the opportunities available for pharmacists. Something that resonated with me and is applicable in so many settings is the behaviour change wheel (Michie, S., Atkins, L., & West, R. (2014). The behaviour change wheel a guide to designing interventions. Silverback Publ., www.behaviourchangewheel.com). The following six steps were listed for pre-implementation –
- Identify the thing.
- Whose behavior must change?
- What do they need to change?
- What are the barriers?
- What are the facilitators?
- What are the best strategies?
So often, we consider some of the steps but often leave out the more difficult ones relative to the project. The second idea that was presented discussed our capabilities, motivation, and opportunities. Again, components that are easily left out of project planning.
The SICP Executive Committee started down a path of updating our section webpage this year. We met with ASHP’s senior director of digital engagement, Christina Francisco, at the Midyear Clinical Meeting. My notes from our discussion include 1) pick your goal, and 2) determine what the action is. Our goal is to reimagine our webpage and clearly outline how members can benefit from joining our section.
As I move forward in my career and in life, I want to take these six steps and the lessons I’ve learned from our webpage longitudinal project and incorporate them into other projects. I want to instill this wisdom in my PGY1 residents and help them apply it in all facets – like writing an email. I hope that you are able to do such as well.
And speaking of moving forward, we have the ASHP Pharmacy Futures meeting in Portland in June. I hope to see many of you there. I find great value in the smaller size of the meeting compared to Midyear and the opportunities to really connect with others. Midyear is the hub and bub of all things residency-related, and the summer gathering provides a more relaxing atmosphere. I also enjoy the House of Delegates (HOD) where we can shape the future of our profession. In some ways, the HOD is the culmination or the beginning of the six steps outlined above with 30 seconds to speak at the microphone. I sincerely encourage all of you to get involved. My time in the ASHP section advisory groups and executive committee has been both professionally and personally rewarding. Being involved is not as daunting as it seems!
I would like to take a moment to extend sincere appreciation and gratitude to the entire SICP Executive Committee; we made a fantastic team. You all are amazing leaders and hold a special place in my heart. Sarah, thank you for all you’ve done for the committee over the last six years. We will miss you on the team next year. And thank you to our ASHP Director, Rena Sackett. We are organized and successful because of you. I leave you all in good hands with Lucas Schulz next year. See you in Portland!
Allison King, PharmD, FASHP
Chair, Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners
[email protected]