Not quite. The rule is that you can't hold two professional licenses at the same time. As you know, the school faculties are separate entities from the licensing college. One gives you the degree, the other gives you the license, so getting a degree doesn't equal getting licensed. Cuz I'm still a student, I can work as an RPh up til the day I get licensed as a doctor.

^ah sweet... you can pay off your bills as a pharmacist while going to school to be a doctor... hahahah

Damn, I've got to go to your rounds then :D

what would Meth, Crack & Marijuana Dealer fall under... Pharmacist?

that's all?

optometry student here

In East Vancouver, we call it "Pharmaceutical Distributor." ;)

now, now guys.. easy on the pharmacy students :)

any more healthcare peeps? It's good to know there are other healthcare workers on RS. Anyone in placements? I'm at Youville right now, but I'll be at VGH in January.

Really? Oh, was that at the UBC Meet? Cool :)

Sure, we should call the meet "Multidisciplinary Health Professional Rounds". And try and get one of the drug companies to sponsor us with lunch! ;)

I agree, that's a *really* good idea. I had friends who worked on the weekends as pharmacists during the first few years of med school (when you actually have time on the weekends for that sort of thing), and it helped them a lot with finances.

Graduating pharm this year :D

Hey what the? Who are you anonymous?

you missed: Health Policy Advisors/Legislators

Lots of people making big decisions in health care aren't science people at all -- in fact, they're bureaucrats and politicians :P


I'm focusing on health law and policy at the University of Victoria.

Hope we can have some engaging debates on this radically changing field so essential to us all!

Garett Couturier

^ah... good point...

it'd be nice to get opinions from policy makers as well of course

<- Respiratory Therapist

^ Cool... so do you work with asthma patients croatian7? Or what type of people do you work with?

You know what? Just looking at the list, i'm surprised there hasn't been a single dietician report in. I'm sure someone's in dietetics or is a dietician on RS... come on

Three years school. Base salary same as a nurse, but much better job, no cleaning patients involved.

Outline:

Respiratory therapists perform some or all of the following duties:
Perform diagnostic tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary functions tests
Operate and monitor respiratory equipment to administer treatments such as oxygen, oxygen-air mixtures, humidified air or medications
Operate, monitor, maintain and test a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
Assess patients and perform or assist with interventions such as airway maintenance, line insertions, inductions and intubations
Perform artificial respiration and external cardiac massage
Assist with transport of high-risk patients
Supervise and train students and other respiratory therapists
Participate in home care programs for chronic respiratory patients and provide patient and family education
Participate in research related to cardiac and pulmonary disorders.

Can't agree more.

Curious.. is this a law program? What have you learned so far about healthcare?

p.s. You're another good person to know :D

Will be a Med student in roughly 3 years... No matter what it takes *holds lightning rod into the air and awaits corny battle music*

I have an utter fascination with the human body. The way it works and functions is just insane... Right down to the way that our cells work.

I'm also a very friendly person, so helping others sounds good to me :P

And congratulations, Dr. skylinegtr !

good luck to you Jocelyn :)

Thank you :D

I think he's referring to the Health Administration program (MHA). I did this program before entering med at UBC and worked at the Fraser Health Authority doing policy work...it's definitely a growing field and the new program at UBC makes it convenient for more older people (ie. doctors/nurses) already working to complete the MHA as it is an executive style program (go to school 1 weekend/month for 2 years).

Here's more info on the program: LINK

No, sorry I'm not part of the MHA @ UBC. I have a strong interest in health policy, and so my course focus in my undergrad surrounds that. I'm soon to graduate, so will be off to a law school that specializes in health law.

Most universities offer a few courses on health policy, health law, health informatics etc. Take one or two and see if you like it :)

What have I learned about healthcare? That's a huge question, but you learn about many things: duty of care, informed consent, therapeutic privaledge, Canada Health Act, Health as a human right?, ethical theories regarding health, euthenasia and other moral dilemmas, doctor/patient relationship throughout history etc.

In terms of the legal realm, there is a lot to know:
fiduciary responsibility, negligence, vicarious liability, assault and battery (yes, these are related to health!), individual autonomy, sections of the charter relating to health (particular s.7, s.15, s.8)

A good start is a browse through the prologue of the Canada Health Act, and then get a good book on the current environment in health.

http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/health.htm

is also a good place to learn.


GC

Also, Timothy Caulfield is a leading author on Health Policy in Canada. I believe he has a new book out regarding this. Check him out, he's from the U of Alberta