Best Practice 1
Family Pharmacist - A Community Health Initiative
Objectives:
- Create a symbiotic relationship between National College of Pharmacy (NCP) and the local community.
- Enhance health awareness, improve medication adherence, promote preventive measures and conduct health care screenings.
- Assess the practice and raise awareness on judicious usage of OTC medications.
- Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
- Foster a sense of social responsibility among students.
- Serve the holistic healthcare needs of the community.
Context:
- Targeted at Division 24 of Mukkam municipality.
- Strategic division of student groups: Final year B.Pharm, M.Pharm Pharmacy Practice, and fourth and fifth-year Pharm.D students guided by Pharm.D interns and faculty.
- Houses are allocated to student groups for ensuring consistent and uniform care
- Focussing on lifestyle diseases and the special population.
- Addressing challenges like diverse healthcare needs and medication adherence.
- Combining healthcare assistance and medication counselling demanded training and adaptability from our student participants
- Successfully addressed community scepticism by consistent follow up and building trust.
Practice:
- Experiential learning approach involving students, interns, and faculty members.
- Emphasis on obtaining informed consent from the community.
- Individuals are provided with awareness sessions and information leaflets that outline the program's objectives and services comprehensively.
- Data collection through Data information sheets for patient history and medication details.
- Periodical check-ups for monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Health education and counselling sessions by Pharm D interns.
Constraints:
- Some community members unwilling to participate.
- Only able to offer Drug information and patient counselling.
Evidence of Success:
- Increased community participation and trust.
- Effectiveness of this best practice is evident and is evaluated through regular interviews and feedback form collection.
- Improved medication adherence and reduced usage of OTC medications were evident in feedback reports.
- Data analysis shows an overall improvement in participant health.
- Student evaluations indicate significant improvements in drug therapy monitoring and the development of social responsibility as future community pharmacists.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
- Addressed community skepticism through continuous follow-up and ongoing awareness programmes.
- The program demanded essential resources include funding for health check equipment, educational materials, and transportation facilities for remote areas.
SARVA SWASTHYA VIDYALAYA/ सर्वस्वास्थ्यविद्यालय/ SPIRITUAL SPARKLE VIBE (SSV)
Objectives
- To promote the well-being of students, staff, and the local community.
- To extend the culture of well-being to nearby 'Vidyalayas' (schools) and the local community
- To enhance academic performance, healthy eating habits, and emotional support among students.
- To create a clean, green, and celebratory campus environment.
- To ensure a happy and healthy workplace and learning ambience where everyone would treat each other with mutual respect and consideration
Context
- In a fast-paced academic environment, student and staff well-being is often neglected. Academic pressures, unhealthy lifestyles, and lack of awareness pose challenges to holistic well-being.
- The nearby schools and local community face similar health and well-being challenges.
- SSV combines balanced diet, fitness programs, awareness programs, and celebrations for students,faculty and the community.
Practice
The SSV practice stands out in Indian higher education due to its holistic approach that integrates physical and mental well-being seamlessly into the academic environment and its extension to the nearby ‘Vidyalayas’(schools) and local community.
Extension to nearby Vidyalayas (schools) and the local community
- Organizing Nutrition Awareness Programs at Govt Schools in the local community where surveys are conducted on the dietary habits of students and distribute informative leaflets during awareness sessions.
- NCP organised cultural programs followed by nutritious lunches to children at Pratheeksha Special School to support their well-being.
- Furthermore, our National Nutrition Week celebrations include campaigns and counselling sessions for the local community, spreading awareness and promoting healthier lifestyles.
The Happiness & Wellness Department, part of the HR division within KMCT group of Institutions, is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of students. It focuses on two critical aspects:
Mental Well-being: This is structured into three layers:
- Institutional Level: The Mentor-Mentee System
- Counselor Level: Counseling sessions with psychologists, with prior consent from parents and the Principal.
- Psychiatrist Level: Following counseling sessions, if necessary, students may be recommended for psychiatrist consultations.
Physical Well-being: This aspect focuses on promoting physical fitness through activities like Yoga, Sports, Exercise.
- NCP celebrates student success with cake cutting ceremonies and awards, promoting a culture of appreciation and recognition.
- NCP recognizes student’s birthdays by distributing birthday cards through their class teachers.
- Psychologists from the Happiness & Wellness Department offer counselling during Induction programs at the commencement of each new batch.
- Nutritional Food Fest: Annually, NCP hosts the “NutriQuest” Food Fest, open to the local community. This highlights the importance of nutritious food for a wholesome lifestyle.
- Balanced Diet Plan: A balanced diet plan to promote a culture of health and wellness within the educational institution and the community.
- Organic Produce: - SSV promotes a healthy life style by producing and distributing organic fruits and vegetables among students and staff.
Evidence of Success:
- Positive feedbacks from schools.
- Improved academic performance since implementing the Mentor-Mentee system and well-being initiatives.
- Effectiveness of the orientation program in addressing mental and physical well-being needs.
- Positive feedback on increased concentration and reduced stress levels after participating in well-being programs.
- Positive changes in weight and BMI measurements after fitness programs.
- Steady rise in overall campus participation rates.
- Constructive feedback on balanced diet plans.
Problems Encountered:
- Resource limitations hinder program expansion.
- Stigma surrounding mental health discourages some parents and students from using psychology services.
- The faculty mentors have time management constraints for mentor-mentee interactions.
- Variations in individual dietary habits pose challenges in promoting a universal balanced diet.
Resources Required:
- SSV activities demands more financial and human resources
- Require faculty training programs
- Awareness campaigns to reduce mental health stigma and raise awareness.
- Resources for outreach programs and extension of SSV to other nearby schools.