Sharing a vision

The author of Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal offers this wisdom to anyone in a role that requires forward thinking and plan execution. My favorite part of this quote is his use of the word ‘art’.Art is creation; it’s translating ideas and intuition into reality. That’s the power of the human mind—what you see could very well be invisible to those around you. And others are seeing things that may be invisible to you.For example, when I graduated, the idea of paid medication reviews was foreign. We were available to the public for all their medication needs. A counselling session could take three-minutes, or it might last half an hour.Those off-the-cuff medication reviews were neither formalized, nor valued, as they should have been. It wasn’t until a small group with vision lobbied associations and governments to fund these services that they become a reality.The best part? Vision as an art is not defined in black and white. It’s like a rainbow—every individual sees through his or her own prism. The conditions and viewing angle are unique and the person directly next to you will not capture the same arc or brilliance.Whether narrow or broad spectrum, a vision is defined by a person’s individuality, style and skill-set. Those same medication reviews now have a framework, but it’s up to each pharmacist to create value for their patients and for themselves as practitioners.Now anyone can be artistic, but most often the quality of art is measured by social perception or taste. Do you have a favorite genre of music? How about a painter or sculptor?When the art doesn’t thrill you, does that mean the artist is any less talented or the art of poorer quality? Remember the controversy when the National Gallery of Canada spent $1.8 million dollars to buy the painting, Voice of Fire?Regardless of our own opinions, this piece was a result of Barnett Newman’s vision and is admired and appreciated by many.So if everyone has artistic capability and may see things others can’t, why do certain folks stand out in the crowd as being visionaries in their respective fields?It’s difficult to formulate an opinion or contribute to a vision if you’re not aware that it exists. That song on the radio was written, arranged and recorded, but until it was promoted, few heard it. Van Gogh was certainly eccentric, but if he had never dared to show his canvas to anyone, it’s doubtful he’d have a place in history.In the Canadian pharmacy world, our leaders have provided the Blueprint For Pharmacy and on an increasing scale, policy decisions are being made in reference to the Blueprint vision.Pharmacists are experiencing enormous change as we integrate these new clinical services into current practices. Our profession’s leaders are communicating their visions through provincial associations and government relations.Demonstration projects are popping up across the country (in Nova Scotia, where I practise, in the form of programs such as the Bloom Program and funded minor ailment prescribing). Perhaps there are visions coming into fruition that were once invisible to you.By the same token, it’s up to us to communicate our own dreams. Insert yourself into the discourse and create your own art; something that represents how your future should look. Know a supportive family doctor who performs home visits?Perhaps there is an opportunity to collaborate on a disease-state management program. Interested in reading lab screening for thyroid disorders? Someday, endocrinologists may need our help to identify red flags or coordinate dose adjustments.There is no wrong answer or approach, so don’t be afraid to apply your style.After all, you’re seeing things no one else can see; only you can make them visible.Devin Covey is a pharmacist and author of PharmAspire, a blog exploring “The practice of pharmacy, on your terms…in your terms.”

Sharing a vision

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Devin Covey