At the core level, we as pharmacists function as teachers to empower our patients to live their best lives. Here is how to hone your teaching skills, taught by the best teacher I have ever had in my schooling career, Mr. Jerry Dattilo! (watch til the very end with audio turned UP- special surprise there :D )
As healthcare professionals, we function not only as liaisons for our patients at directing them toward their best health, but as something even more- someone impactful who is positioned in a role of trust that can literally alter how they take their medications, follow up on their medical conditions, and put recommendations we give them into practice.
At the foundational level, the degree of impact we have on those lives that we serve as healthcare professionals depends on our ability to function as teachers. Meeting them where they are, supporting them to feel heard, giving them a voice and listening to it, collectively allow us to build rapport with our patients. This bond will then allow us to effectively communicate potentially life-saving information to the patients we serve. As a pharmacist, I can without a doubt say this skill is what enables exceptional counseling and therefore optimal outcomes, which is what it’s all about: positively impacting the health- and lives- of those we serve.
How do you know what is effective? What are some things we can put into practice right now to bridge the communication gap to connect with our patients?
I was thinking about this question and then ran into my 7th grade history teacher, Mr. Dattilo. Without a doubt, the most effective teacher I have ever had in my schooling. Why do I say that? Well, he taught me about Nebuchadnezzar- and how to spell his name- 18 years ago, and I still remember it to this day!
In addition, he has the track record to prove it:
*Won Teacher of the Year Award for 10 YEARS IN A ROW
*Won the Teacher Excellence Award, named best teacher in all of Western Pennsylvania!
He made his class so fun, he literally tricked me into learning! I just wanted to win some candy, and along the way, I became a pharmacist!
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS INTERVIEW:
1. What are some key principles to keep in mind when you are trying to teach someone else an important concept? How do you get started?
2. How do you ensure that what you said ACTUALLY is understood by the person you are trying to teach? As we know, a head nod or “Oh yea, I get it” doesn’t always correlate to learning a concept so well that it can be put into practice.
3. What are some things NOT to do – to avoid altogether at all costs?
4. How can we improve our skills as teachers to increase our effectiveness and methods?
It’s my honor to introduce you to my friend and former 7th-grade teacher, Mr. Dattilo! A little bit about him:
1. He taught high school and middle school kids for 35 years and loved doing it. He always felt that teaching was an incredibly important profession and he wanted to make history come alive and be dynamic and relevant.
2. His 2nd profession was music, which he loved. He has played at weddings for his students and is in an actual wedding band. He still performs today in a band of other senior citizens!
3. He loves dogs and volunteers at shelters and Animal Friends. He is fascinated with the psychology of a dog and how it shows unconditional love to humans.
4. He is developing a program to bring knowledge about music to kindergarten and first and second graders.
5. His hobbies include working out at his gym daily and reading all he can about nutrition and health (as well as music and dogs).
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Host: Dr. Adam Martin, PharmD, ACSM-cPT
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