Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Warren Meek: ‘There was a time when I thought I knew everything!’

SnapshotRetired community pharmacist, consultant, speakerRPh (retired) FFIP Halifax Canada Education:Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Dalhousie University, 1977 Describe your journey into the field of pharmacy and what inspired you to take on a leadership role in advocacy.I think it is fair to say that I did not struggle too much in high school and applied and was accepted at various Atlantic universities. My older brother had graduated from Dalhousie in pharmacy and with the help of bursaries and student loans I enrolled and have never regretted it. I honestly don't think I was "inspired" to a leadership role in advocacy, and it would be flippant to say it came naturally. However, various experiences in secondary and post-secondary education, and early in my career, helped steer my course. In my Grade 10 year at Kensington Regional High School PE, my class felt we were disadvantaged with the number of "free periods" in our schedule. The class was called to the auditorium where the principal explained to us we could return to our classroom if we rescinded our position. One after one we were dismissed to our classroom, with two exceptions. I was one of the two, and the only one to visit the principal's office. I think (hope) the discussion was successful and perhaps encouraged me to respect advocacy leadership and to be engaged in it. From an early career experience, I was one of a handful of associates with the Shoppers Drug Mart franchise company asked to participate in a significant change in the central distribution of products into our stores.What are some of the most significant challenges you have faced in your advocacy efforts, and how have you overcome them?A notable challenge in the early 2000s was my involvement with the Canadian Pharmacists Association Blueprint for Pharmacy. The chosen vision was "Optimal drug therapy outcomes for Canadians through patient-centred care." I was fairly naive at the time and didn't understand the roles and differing attitudes of the several pharmacy actors in Canada. It was a time for me to learn about each stakeholder, discuss the myriad differing opinions on the Blueprint, and to be engaged in consensus building for what in my opinion was a significant vision for Canadian pharmacy.How do you envision the future of pharmacy practice, and what role do you see advocacy playing in shaping that future?We have been discussing internationally the opportunity for community pharmacy, in particular, to be the "community wellness hub." There are several reports acknowledging the location of the majority of the world's population within "x" kilometres of a community pharmacy. Products and services in those locations have been expanding, which is a benefit to people. Going one step further with the wellness hub idea would see customers/clients/patients either accessing an enhanced level of basic care to complement a method of "self-care" or accessing a "health system manager" or accessing appropriate health resources.The role of advocacy, in my opinion, would be to clarify the benefits of that future practice, work with stakeholders to identify key roadblocks and solutions, and build a cohesive health workforce.Can you share a success story where your advocacy efforts led to a tangible improvement in pharmacy practice?I've mentioned my involvement with Blueprint for Pharmacy. But, let me point to a much more modest activity with my pharmacy team in 2004, many years ago that, again in my opinion was a stepping stone for today's pharmacist management of anticoagulation therapy. As a result of our willingness to be engaged in pharmacist professional development, we collaborated with Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Halifax NS and the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons to approve a protocol to allow community pharmacists to monitor oral anticoagulant therapy as a delegated medical function under the supervision of the medical director of the anticoagulation clinic, including making dose adjustments. While the pilot study was small in nature, the learnings gained were important in the development of these services today. What strategies do you find most effective in engaging government and policy makers in discussions about pharmacy-related issues?The literature makes reference to the Elements of strategy, the Principles of strategy, the Five "Ps" of strategy, the Pillars of strategy and more. Let's say that strategy is a "general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions of uncertainty." For me, a fundamental strategy that is effective in engaging government and policy makers in discussions about pharmacy-related issues is putting myself in their shoes. Where does health fit in their agenda? What commitment do they have for better health outcomes? In a military sense, knowing your opposition. I would position health vs. education, housing, transportation and other important arenas, to get a sense of the importance of any pharmacy-related issue "to me" vs. "them." When we get on the same page, or at least in the same chapter, we can argue the risk of maintaining the status quo. Many years ago, some colleagues and I had an audience with the mayor of the city of Mwanza in Tanzania. Since I was there as a volunteer with a medical mission, I asked the mayor what he thought was the most important issue for his constituents. He thought for just a minute. His answer? Health? No. Transportation. Better roads, moving people and produce more efficiently from the agricultural area to the city, better quality produce, higher price for the seller, more income, less poverty, better health.How do you balance the interests and needs of different stakeholders within your advocacy work? How do you foster collaboration and unity among diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and goals?Recognize the varying priorities and goals. Then apply the Pareto Principle. With these diverse stakeholders 80% of resources, activities, and goals are common to the group. Twenty percent are variable. When we recognize the ratio 80/20, we will easily see that a BIG problem really isn't that big. The solution is in identifying the 20% of the issue that almost hides the 80%. If a stakeholder is interested in something, that is fine. But does being interested equate to importance? I am interested in sky-diving. Is it important? What I am trying to say is listen to learn. Listen to the stakeholders, identify the 20% of things that are important and move on from there.What advice would you give to young pharmacy professionals who are passionate about advocacy and want to make a difference in the field?With respect, I might reframe the question. "What advice would you give to young pharmacy professionals who want to make a difference in the field, a difference that might create a passion for advocacy?" I would likely advise to know your profession. Granted, you have studied pharmacy and have an education and have learned the basics to apply that education. Then we will gain experience. However, what are you reading now? What are you listening to? Who are you listening to? What seminars are you attending? What conferences are you attending? What CPD are you engaged in? Who among your colleagues is concerned about some of the same issues as you? I am reminded of an image from decades ago of the bright light bulb in the upper left quadrant of the pictorial "I have an idea." The light bulb lessens in intensity till it fades out, having gone through management – "a word of caution," "a little too radical," "I like it myself, but....," "we tried something just like that once....," "let me play the devil's advocate," "it's just not us," "I wish it were that easy," "Oh, it was just an idea.It takes many ideas to come up with the winners. Don't stop being creative.What personal qualities or experiences do you believe have been most instrumental in your success as an advocacy leader?There are many people who would say "Make up your mind, Warren, are you for or against X.” I have tried not to be argumentative, but I have tried to argue both sides of the coin. Not just to waste time, or to hear myself speak, but to try and bring out the pros and cons before the final decision. From experience, don't try this technique on what colour to paint the kitchen, I have found it beneficial to ask the questions, and depending on the importance of the topic, significant questions that may not be easily asked. And I frame the question like: "Have you thought about it this way?" "How will it affect the end user?"There was a time when I thought I knew everything! And I always had the solution. As I have matured, I have learned that it is more important to listen to learn than to listen to respond.Looking back on your career, is there anything you would do differently, or any key lessons you have learned along the way?Where do I begin? I love my career! I would have learned to ask for help earlier in my career. I suppose I thought "asking" might have implied weakness. That is not true. I remember in a two-day seminar when we were looking at "inkblots." My brain was not computing well with those inkblots. I was told, "Warren, you would do better if you asked someone for help." I'm not convinced that anyone could help me see the rabbit in the inkblot, but the point was valid. I would likely strive to be somewhat less independent. There is a time and a place for independence but also a time and a place for a functional team. I have been blessed to be thoroughly engaged in my practice, but also well engaged in the profession in many aspects. You can be a great pharmacist in your practice site in your community. But you can also share your talents within the profession and beyond.What advice would you give to colleagues who want to participate in advocacy efforts or initiatives?Where would the profession be without advocates, and without advocacy? If you could imagine that scenario, would you be happy there? Would you be fulfilled? Would you feel you are supporting your patients? Each of us has a gift or many gifts. Ask yourself how your gift(s) would improve the profession and yourself. Of all the thousands of topics you might advocate in, be selective. Will your involvement in those limited number of topics lead to better pharmacy care. Offer your support to those who are advocating. They can't do it all alone. Your support may take you into a different world altogether. Supporting my colleagues in the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has been such a wonderful experience in seeing and loving the world of pharmacy.Sherif Guorgui - FIP-Community Pharmacy Section | LinkedIn

Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Warren Meek: ‘There was a time when I thought I knew everything!’

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics