The Pre-Med Club had the privilege of hosting a virtual meeting on Oct.16 with clinical pharmacist Dr. Pravin Patil, whose expertise lies in oncology and nephrology. Dr. Patil generously shared his personal experiences and offered valuable advice to aspiring medical students. Despite the brevity of the interaction, the insights he provided were invaluable for those looking to embark on a medical career.

Dr. Patil began introducing his role in the field. He provided an in-depth understanding of the profession, delving into its demanding nature, salary prospects, and educational prerequisites. Crucially, he emphasized the essential skill sets required for success in this field. These encompassed critical thinking, teamwork, level-headedness, and maintaining a positive temperament. 

“Critical thinking is extremely important because you need to be able to use facts to make an accurate diagnosis for the patients,” stated Dr. Patil. “Creating a plan and working with a team helps to provide the best quality patient care. Having a good temperament is necessary to be able to react to critical problems. You have to have a positive attitude and learn to not be stressed in critical situations.” 

Having laid the groundwork for aspiring clinical pharmacists, Dr. Patil proceeded to shed light on his daily routine. His unique work schedule involved seven consecutive working days followed by a week of rest. 

“This schedule allows me to have a good-work life balance, pursue my hobbies, and spend more time with my family,” said Dr. Patil. 

Dr. Patil also detailed his daily responsibilities, which include patient preparation, pharmacotherapy evaluation, hospital rounds, documentation, preceptorship, involvement in research projects, and the assessment and reporting of adverse drug events.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Patil imparted valuable advice for students embarking on their journey to becoming clinical pharmacists. He encouraged them to familiarize themselves with medical terminology by taking high school courses.

“Taking classes such as AP Chemistry, Human Anatomy, and Human Physiology can be helpful for students to learn more about the medical field,” explained Dr. Patil.

Furthermore, he recommended gaining practical experience by volunteering in a hospital or healthcare setting. This hands-on exposure would not only deepen students’ understanding of the medical field but also help them confirm their interest in pursuing a career in this domain.

Following the meeting’s conclusion, Dr. Patil generously shared his contact information, offering students the opportunity to reach out with any further queries or clarifications. 

“I think the guest speaker was a great opportunity to learn about what the medical field is like as we heard from someone working as a doctor first hand,” expressed junior Juliana Wong, Co-President of Pre-Med Club.

For students with aspirations of joining the medical community, the insights and wisdom shared by Dr. Patil proved to be a priceless resource, helping to guide them on their path towards a career in clinical pharmacy.