I got into med school!

After peeping at my phone throughout work the whole day I finally received the email I was waiting for!

ANU has offered me a CSP position. 

I am so happy and grateful of the outcome. Just like Oscar winners I want to thank everybody that has helped me through this journey! My friends and family that cheered me along the way, my boss who allowed me to take time off for the interview, my girlfriend who prepared me every step of the way etc.

Now that I'm here, it is officially time to look for next year's accommodations! Bye bye Brisbane, and hello Canberra!

Waiting for news

Apparently today is the day med offers are being released.

According to Catherine from GEMSAS, all rejection emails have been sent out.

As I sit here email-less, I think it means good news.

Oh lunch break.

Ah! I see an email!... and it's a false alarm.

Transition from provisional to general registration

So far I am at the stage of transitioning from my provisional pharmacist registration to general registration.

Requirements to become a pharmacists are as follows:

• Complete an Intern Training Portfolio (from either Guild, PSA or UQ)
• Pass the Intern Written Exam
• Pass the Intern Oral exam 
• Complete 1824 hours of supervised practice.

I have already completed the first two requirements. I'll find out my oral exam results on the 4th Nov and my 1824 hours should tick on the 7th of November. 

According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), I could apply for general registration now because my provisional license is expiring at the end of November and I am expected to finish all requirements within the next 60 days. 

So I followed the online form and paid $477 ($160 application fee and $317 registration fee) to get my general registration. Once I paid for the application, I was sent a check list of supporting documents to send the registration agency to complete the paperwork. I have 60 days to lodge my supporting documents. If all goes well, I'll be sending them on their way on the 11th of November once I've completed all four criteria and got my paperwork certified. 

5 days left!

Assuming the medicine offers to be released on Nov 1st, there is only 5 days left!

My self-confidence has been constantly fluctuating for the past few weeks. Oscillating between 'I did awesome' to 'Something must have gone wrong'. In other words, I'd like to think that I'd definitely get in but another part of my self is telling me that I am being too cocky. **Stupid brain, pick a side and stay that way!!**

At this stage I have finished all necessary assessments, so I have some extra time to myself. It is really tempting to look up potential rental options for next year, but both my girlfriend and my other conscience would slap me on the wrist and tell me 'it's too early to look!'

WELL... it's only 5 days left!

Kenacomb vs Otodex

When treating ear infections, doctors commonly prescribe either kenacomb or otodex.

Recently there has been a shortage of otodex from suppliers, I have been told it won't be back until December. Today I have had to make phone calls to local doctors to ask them to substitute their otodex scripts to kenacomb.

What is the difference between the two products?

Both products are corticosteroids with anti-infective ingredients, and are both indicated to treat otitis externa.

The difference lies between the ingredients.

Kenacomb:

• Corticosteroid: Triamcinolone 0.1%
• Antibiotic: Neomycin 0.25%
• Antibiotic: Gramicidin 0.025%
• Anti-fungal: Nystatin 100 000 units/mL

     Dose: 3 drops 2-3 times a day.


Otodex:

• Corticosteroid: Dexamethasone 0.05%
• Antibiotic: Framycetin 0.5% 
• Antibiotic: Gramicidin 0.005%

     Dose: 3 drops 3-4 times a day

Voi la, similar but different. Confusing to remember either way.

Wind pain

Part of my job is to help patient's with their medical problems. I am to help identify minor ailments and provide appropriate treatment. This saves GPs from needing to deal with simple headaches, sprains, diarrhoea, constipation cases.

Today a lady approached me and told me she had 'wind pain'. What the hell is wind pain? When I asked her what the symptoms felt like, she told me she doesn't have diarrhoea, constipation but just stomach aches from gas buildup. I guess she meant she felt bloated. I could not identify what was causing this, and she told me the pain was severe and debilitating. She has tried products such as buscopan and degas, with no success. Well... there goes the products I would have recommended. I suggested for her to take general pain killers for the time being and book an appointment with a doctor to further investigate the issue.

When the patient was on her way I thought to myself "Gees... wind pain, where on earth did she come by such a term?"

30 mins before my oral

This is the last assessment for the year!
In 3 hours I will be done!

2 days from my final oral exam and 4 weeks from med offer results

Only going up,with no end it sight.

All aboard the tension roller coaster! Tension is only going to go up!

Preparing for my intern oral exam

Shortly after finishing my med school interviews, I'm now onto my next project: intern oral exam.

For those who aren't familiar, for an intern pharmacist there are 4 main hurdles to pass before you get registered.