Resilience sounds like such a positive word. The word connotes ‘toughing it out’, not being a ‘quitter’, strength of mind & spirit, and all the characteristics associated with personal development, and leadership.
Recently there has been some urging from many circles to look for some positive stories in pharmacy, to look at the bright side, and to focus on solutions rather than the same old harping and complaining about the state of affairs. Who could argue with this call for the positive rather than dwelling on the negative?
In a recent piece in the Globe & Mail,
The argument is presented that research shows that resilience depends more on what we receive and interact with than what we have within us. Surprise.
Extrapolating this to the pharmacy naysayers who write or comment on the present state of the pharmacy profession, there may be some downside to this urge to “make the best of things” and to looking for ways of finding solutions to the many problems pharmacy faces from within.
Looking for solutions solely within oneself is not going to cut it. Eight five percent of pharmacy is now controlled by Big Pharmacy Retail (BPR), and not only in Canada. Look to what CVS has done to the pharmacy profession in the US since Aetna purchased it. Look at the situation in the UK with Boots since it was bought out by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. Pharmacy is really BIG business.
Accepting what is dealt out in life, or love, or work, and then toughening it out through some association with this being a sign of strength of character is exactly what controlling parties wants. The dynamics never change in such a scenario. The oppressed party keeps on buying self help books, and things remain much the same.
The message here, and it is a positive one, is that all the will power, strength of character and resilience in the world are never going to help if one stays in the same place and accepts the environment presented. It’s the people and the circumstances and the support systems around a person that will move that person from a cesspool of self pity and unhappiness, to a place where self fulfillment has a chance. Without a change in environment, one may look tough, but one will remain on the losing side of the court.
Everyone knows what needs to be done to return pharmacy to the profession it once was, but steps to get there appear steep, long & daunting
The pharmacy associations like the OPA do not appear to be heading in a new direction any time soon, and to representing the interests of everyday working pharmacists, despite ever-increasing pressure to do so. If anything, recent political events in Ontario and Alberta would suggest that these powerless bodies continue to get caught flat footed by government.
The regulatory bodies like the OCP have zero interest in sustaining a professional working environment where pharmacy professionals can thrive and exercise their professional duties. They continue to define their role in the narrowest of terms, even as the profession continues to slip ever further under the control of commercial vested interests. Reminds you of the band on the Titanic
Hope. Recently it appears that some International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs) are beginning to look at opportunities back in their home countries, now that they have accepted that they were duped by BPR and the regulatory bodies into believing there was a pharmacist shortage in Canada.
More. Career advisers are beginning to take a second look at suggesting pharmacy as a wise career choice. Some of the news stories and comments have reached young people and they are beginning to listen. These comments are making a difference. Saving even one student from a poor career choice is worth it.
It is acceptance, delusion and misdirected hope which have contributed to some of the worst catastrophes in human history. So, it’s OK to get mad and to speak out. Then to search for ways to change one’s environment to where talent, determination, strength of character, and yes resilience matter.