Lindsay Bennett is a clinical pharmacist at Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center where she supports patients with substance use disorders and other diverse psychiatric issues.
Lindsay also recently earned her Doctor of Pharmacy as one of the first round of graduates from the Waterloo Pharmacy Bridging Program.
Where they’re working:
"Patient experiences with the mental health population in my co-op and early career as a pharmacist triggered my interest in mental health,” says Lindsay.
Work at a mental health center is a far cry from community pharmacy practice, and Lindsay sees daily evidence of the impact pharmacists can have with this patient population.
“Compliance and side effects to medications are two big areas where pharmacists can make an impact," she explains.
Finding ways to mitigate side effects and increase compliance can make a big difference for patients’ quality of life and effectiveness of treatment.
Reflections on the Program
"The co-op program that UW offers was essential for me gaining experiences early. I was able to experience a variety of practice settings as a student and I quickly directed my experiences to where I wanted to focus my practice."
An average day at the Royal has Lindsay consulting patients, completing medication recommendations at admission and discharge, counselling on new medications, and completing rounds as part of an inter-disciplinary team. She sees a wide variety of patients:
Lindsay
is
also
a
member
of
the
crisis
unit,
which
supports
patients
in
serious
situations.
“On
the
crisis
unit,
I
see
patients
with
schizophrenia,
youth
patients,
patients
with
mood
disorders,
and
patients
who
are
a
part
of
the
forensics
program
at
the
Royal.
This
variety
gives
me
the
opportunity
to
work
with
complex
patients
within
the
mental
health
hospital.”
But regardless of the unique situation each patient is in, Lindsay’s experiences have taught her that communication is her most important asset.
“Trust and rapport are vital. You have to develop different techniques to build patient rapport since each interaction can vary,” she explains.
Building rapport with patients can be just as or more important than developing a therapeutic plan. If a patient trusts you as a professional it can mean all the difference.
Alumni Answers
UW: What are some of the most rewarding aspects of working at a mental health center?
LB: One of the best rewards in my practice is following patients over the years and seeing the significant improvements in quality of life. Some of the changes I get to see on a daily basis can be astonishing.
UW: What do you recommend for pharmacy students interested in working in mental health?
LB: Seek out co-op work terms with opportunities to provide direct patient care for mental health patients. Developing the ability to gain rapport and trust with patients is probably the most important skill. Another important skill to develop is motivational interviewing. This skill can be especially useful with patients who have concurrent substance use disorders. It’s a great technique to engage patients and involve them in setting their own treatment goals.
UW: Why might others consider working in Ottawa?
LB: Ottawa is a great city with lots of activities to get involved in and outdoor activities to enjoy. Ottawa is a great city as it has lots to offer but it’s small enough that it’s easy to get around.
Non-Pharm Fun
"I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing sports including baseball, golf, biking and cross country skiing. In the summer I also enjoy spending time at the cottage."