Observation Day #3

OBSERVATION DAY #3

Thursdays at UCC TH is the HIV clinic.  When we arrived, we observed "Models of  Hope," who are empowered HIV+ clients, delivering a health talk about malaria to a group of about 50 clients waiting for services.  We were able to observe medication adherence counseling, anti-retroviral therapy (ART) medication dispensing, antenatal consultations, pediatric consultations.

University of Cape Coast Medical School

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DAY

Ann Marie, School of Medicine

Speaking with patients one-on-one was an incredibly powerful experience.  They gave me a vivid picture of what living with HIV in Ghana is like.  The stigma surrounding HIV has a profoundly negative impact on patients ability to seek and access care.

Anna, School of Social Work

I appreciated the time that the community health nurses took to explain medication adherence protocols.  Practitioners ask patients to "teach back" their treatment plan which appeared to be a successful approach.

View of Cape Coast from University of Cape Coast Medical School

Maya, School of Pharmacy 

Today, I worked with the HIV clinic pharmacist to serve over 100 men, women, and children. I helped label medication boxes and wrote details on how to take the medications in a simple ways using shapes and colors. I also reviewed some prescriptions and interpreted what ARV treatment was being prescribed for that particular patient. Even in a less than desirable workspace the HIV clinic pharmacist worked tirelessly to ensure all prescriptions written that day are dispense and patients fully understand how to take their medications. I observed that pharmacists can play a key role in reinforcing medication adherence counseling especially in cases where anti-retroviral therapies (ART) are complex and the appropriate use of medication is crucial to disease management. 

Natalie, School of Nursing

I was impressed by the amount of compassion the nurses and midwives demonstrated during antenatal consultations with HIV+ expectant mothers.  In a country where HIV/AIDS stigma is prevalent, I observed practitioners who were able to look past those stigmas and instead provide encouragement.