Patch Adams Analysis

Pharmaceutical Care

Patch Adams is a 1998 semi-biographical comedy-drama film based on the life story of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams and his book, Gesundheit: Good Health is a Laughing Matter, by Adams and Maureen Mylander. (Wikipedia) The movie is all about a medical school student, Patch Adams who is eager and passionate in helping patients in a way which his dean disagreed on. Despite being warned by his dean and lecturers, he still holds on his principle in treating the patient as a person, not treating the disease.

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During his stay in mental hospital, Patch Adams helped Rudy to overcome his fear on squirrels. He pretended to shoot down squirrels to clear the path for Rudy to go to the washroom. This is the moment when he first discover

In pharmacy practice, there are always multiple solutions for a single problem. Practitioner can suggest on the medication and dosage regimen, yet the final decision should lie on the hand of patient. (Robert J.C. et al., 2012) Most of the time, patient does not understand his/her own medical condition and medication plan, let alone making decision on it. Shared decision making, patient activation and broader patient engagement can significantly improve the treatment outcomes. (Julia J. 2013) Emotion and willingness to treat have significant influence on the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient.

Patient is our teacher. Patch Adams understands himself better after helping Rudy. There is always something to learn from each patient. Some patients with chronic disease know more about it than any practitioner because they live with the disease for decades. Each patient represents a specific case who has different background, personality, preference and conditions. Thus, it is important for practitioner to learn from each patient and document it for future reference.

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Practitioner can play a role in improving the quality of life of a terminally-ill patient in both pharmacological aspects and non-pharmacological aspects. After all, what remains in a patient 's mind is the care and love given by practitioner, not the medical information. Something as simple as a warm-hearted pat on the shoulder or a word of assurance can enlighten their day. If we can treat every patient wholeheartedly, as if he/ she is our friend, it makes significant difference in patient life.

Conclusion

Hepler & Strand define pharmaceutical care as the responsible provision of medicine therapy for the purpose of improving a patient’s quality of life. (1989) It is establish base on the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient in order to optimize patient medication experience. This concept is well-demonstrated by the story of Patch Adams. Whether it is due to the fact that he founded Gesundheit Institute or his willingness in helping people, he did increase the quality of life of a patient which he kept on insist in the movie. Thus, Patch Adams is an inspire for health care