4 Reasons Why Pharmacists Should Visit Disney

Disney World is often thought of as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” As the pharmacy profession continuously advances, we are faced with greater responsibilities. It is important to take a break to visit this magical place not only as a vacation, but also as a learning opportunity. Pharmacists can learn a lot from Disney World through its positive outlook, technologically advanced attractions, and customer service. Check out these 4 reasons why pharmacists should visit Disney World.

Enhance your health through a positive outlook.

Walt Disney said: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Disney World is filled with positive thinking. Growing evidence has linked positive characteristics such as optimism to a lower risk of poor health outcomes, especially cardiovascular disease. A new study found that women who were optimistic had a significantly reduced risk of dying from several major causes of death including cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and infection, over an 8- year period compared with those who were less positive.¹

Disney World is the perfect place to put a smile on your face. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or first visit to Disney, they have buttons you can wear for every occasion. Wear your button in the parks, and employees are sure to congratulate you. This is part of the great customer service for which Disney World is famous. Take these magical ideas back to your pharmacy practice setting to help motivate patients and improve health outcomes.

Theme park attractions will inspire you.

Disney World has a plethora of attractions that are sure to amaze and inspire you. Spaceship Earth is always a classic ride in Epcot that reviews the history of technology. Be sure to check out Project Tomorrow after the ride, which showcases the latest in medical technology. The Body Builder allows you to assemble a digital human body during a 3-D interactive game that simulates the Siemens technology developed to perform remote surgeries. Disney World is filled with these great science exhibits that can help to inspire pharmacists. Definitely check out the new Frozen Ever After ride in Epcot, as it is a visually magnificent experience.

It’s a Small World is definitely a classic ride in Magic Kingdom. Travel by boat through 7 continents as you hear singing children from around the world. Cultural diversity is a part of the pharmacy profession, and this ride demonstrates the importance of embracing diversity to provide the best care to patients. Be sure to check out the amazing fireworks and of course one of my favorite rides, Haunted Mansion.

You can customize your Disney experience.

You can customize your Disney World experience electronically with FastPass selections (decreases waiting time for theme park attractions), dining reservations, and entertainment. All of these data are placed on a MagicBand, which is a wristband containing all of your Disney World selections along with a unique pin number that you create. This type of technology has already made its way through the pharmacy profession in the form of bar code scanning and electronic medical records.

Pharmacists, what are you waiting for? Come and visit this magical place, and who knows, maybe it will make you smile a little more each day like it has done for me.

Earn credits during your stay.

The NCPA Annual Convention will be held in Orlando on October 14-18, 2017 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. Pharmacists will have access to continuing education (CE) and non-CE programming at this annual meeting, covering all of the dimensions of pharmacy business. Plan your vacation around CE to get the most out of your work-life balance! More information for NCPA is available here.

Reference:

• Kim ES, Hagan KA, Grodstein F, et al. Optimism and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study. Am J Epidemiol. 2017:185(1):21-29.