Dr. SSEBIBUBBU STUART holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Masters in Public Health. I am currently pursuing a certificate in Antimicrobial Stewardship as I prepare to do my PhD.
What are you most passionate about in your Pharmacy practice?
Patient counselling and Patient Satisfaction.
What do you love about being a Pharmacist?
I love the fact that every day is a new opportunity to learn with the team I lead and the changes I make in my patient’s lives.
What has been your most challenging moment in the profession, and what were your lessons from it?
One of the most challenging moments I have had was when a team member dispensed medication to a client with a different brand from one the client knew. So she returned after 3 days, claiming that we had given her the wrong medicine, and she threw it away. In my colleague’s defence, it was the same medicine, just a different brand. I entered the conversation to verify the medication and realised it differed from what she wanted. I immediately apologised to the client, and we agreed to give her the brand she needed.
I learned one thing from this: The client or patient is always right, no matter what. I shared the same with my colleague, letting him know that one never exchanges words with the patient, even when she is wrong or right. Always listen and give the best response to retain the patient. I told my colleague he didn’t do anything wrong; yes, it was a different brand, but the patient didn’t know that. Hence the need for proper communication with the patient.
What keeps you going? The desire to make someone’s health better.
In addition to being a Pharmacist, what else do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy writing; hence, I work as a Public Health researcher. I also enjoy singing and playing the guitar in my free time.
What can you say to the young Pharmacist?
I say three things:
- Love what you do.
- Do what you love.
- Always think outside the box.