Letter: Creating a Moment of Care

I strongly believe in the value of understanding patients' needs and in seeking ways to help each patient based on their immediate required care and long-term care goals. Our patients at Walmart pharmacy are from all kinds of lifestyles with various beliefs and cultural backgrounds. As a dedicated pharmacy manager, I continually evaluate my patients based on their needs and medication adherence to achieve maximum health benefits. I seek various approaches to form understandable connections with my patients in order to create a moment of care. I understand that most patients' behaviors are controlled by their background and their dominant culture. I have helped many patients from different cultural backgrounds better understand and accept the benefit of Western medicine against false beliefs or misunderstanding.

I encounter multiple instances on a weekly basis of fear and rejection of adult vaccination or chronic diseases therapy. I have delivered the best possible care for my patients usually by being respectful of their opinion, demonstrating my cultural competency, and creating visions and goals for a healthy lifestyle. When I encounter patients from different cultures than general, local, or dominant cultures, I demonstrate my acknowledgement and respectfulness without being judgmental. I have always fostered an environmnent in which my patient simply feels comfortable receiving proper care without any hesitation or pressure of cultural differences. After explaining the benefits of therapy, I assure them that I would advise similar therapy for my only family if comparable situations arose.

I truly enjoy and cherish when patients look into my eyes and see that there is no stereotyping, insensitivity, or indifference. This is the most rewarding moment for any pharmacist and other health care provider in general, to see their patients willingly and knowingly committed to receiving therapy based on trust and conviction.

Thank you.

Panteha Mortazavi, PharmD

Pharmacy Manager, Walmart Store 3621

Source: Walmart Pharmacy