Rx Note

Introduction Many healthcare professionals find it challenging to change people's long-standing behaviours that pose significant health risks. Even when presented with facts and figures, individuals often persist in harmful behaviours (e.g. smoking, heavy drinking) or fail to adopt healthy lifestyle (e.g. taking medications as prescribed or exercising regularly). This can lead to frustration when advice is ignored or contested. However, in reality, behaviour change cannot occur without the individual themselves recognizing the need to do so. Motivational interviewing is a technique that aims to motivate people to change by balancing following (good listening) and directing (giving information and advice). Instead of acting authoritatively, motivational interviewing techniques involve a respectful and curious approach to empower individuals to change by drawing out their own meaning, importance and capacity for change. Through this collaborative process, we help patients identify th

Introduction During my provisional registered year, my senior advised me, if you appreciated the helps that we have given you now, then you pass down what you have learned to your juniors in the future. In fact, this is what my senior's senior told my senior. Well, in many ways, this has aspired me to create a pharmacy information sharing blog for provisional registered pharmacists at Malaysia in October 2020. While the blog may not have had a significant impact on the pharmacy filed, it is totally fine. "Life is like peeing into the snow on a dark winter night. You probably made a difference, but it's really hard to tell." - Joe Wong . Content This blog is drafted based on my readings, personal experiences and thoughts along my pharmacist journey (although I still consider myself to be a small and ignorant potato in the field). Unlike a university syllabus or standard medical textbook , I would not emphasize much on the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics or ph

Introduction At times, some works (especially statistics reporting) are not difficult, but just too tedious to do it. Hence, we hope all report things can be auto-calculated with each new data entry. Here are some useful Microsoft Excel tricks that you should learn up to make it not a mission impossible. Ctrl + Shift to Select To quickly select a dataset, you can click in the first cell that you want to use and hold down Ctrl+Shift , then hit Down arrow or Up arrow to get all the data below or above in the column. Left arrow or Right arrow to get the data in the row (to the left or right respectively). Separate Line within a Cell and Wrap Text In Microsoft Excel , pressing ALT+Enter creates a new line within a cell. This just to make the data to be presented in a neater manner. An example is as below. Wrap Text Option under the Home tab automatically resize the row or column so that the text re-wraps to fit. Use AutoFilter The AutoFilter feature is such a useful feature when de

Introduction IBM Micromedex is now known as Merative Micromedex. It supports informed, evidence-based clinical decision-making, drug supply chain management and patient education. In November 2024, a new Micromedex app was introduced to deliver more efficient access to all Micromedex content, including Drug Reference, Drug Interactions, IV Compatibility and calculators. Pediatric Reference and NeoFax will follow in a second release. Following this announcement, the legacy apps such as Micromedex Drug Reference , Micromedex Drug Interactions and Micromedex IV Compatibility , will lose support in February 2025. In the past, these medical solutions have been considered low-cost, premium drug database alternatives (as low as $2.99 USD a year for Micromedex Drug Reference ). However, the new pricing is not yet been announced. Features The new Micromedex mobile app provides unified access to all essential drug information from a single, comprehensive app. Compared to legacy apps, the int

Introduction A hiccup occurs due to an involuntary, intermittent, spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Although hiccups most commonly are self-limited (last for <48 hours), they can become prolonged and decrease quality of life by interrupting eating, drinking, sleeping and conversation; exacerbating pain; causing insomnia, fatigue and mental stress; or adversely affecting moods. Hiccups lasting >48 hours are classified as persistent, while those lasting >1 month are considered intractable. Management Treatment of hiccups should be focused on the underlying cause when possible. For patients not known to have an advanced malignancy and who experience hiccups lasting more than 48 hours, a thorough history, physical examination and some laboratory testing should be performed to try to determine the underlying aetiology, even though in many patients a specific cause is not found. Medications associated with hiccups include dexamethasone, diazepam, midaz

Introduction Compression stockings are special, snug-fitting socks used to help prevent swelling and improve blood flows in the legs. Compression stockings are recommended when you sit or stand for long periods without moving, such as during a long flight. They may also be used during pregnancy to reduce the risk of developing lower limb oedema, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis. Types There are two main types: Anti-embolic stockings (often called "TED" or thromboembolic deterrent stockings) Primarily used to prevent blood clots, especially for bedridden patients post-surgery. Exert consistent pressure throughout the stocking (e.g. 18 mm Hg). Available in knee-high and thigh-high lengths. Gradient pressure stockings Offer varying levels of compression, with the highest pressure at the ankle and gradually decreasing up the leg. Worn by people with lymphedema or vein disorders (e.g. chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins ). Come in different compression classes to

Introduction There are numerous ways to download a video from YouTube . I use the methods below because they are easy and I do not have to install extra apps or software. Using Y2Mate Copy the URL of the YouTube you want to download (e.g., "https://www.youtube.com/XXXXXXX"). To go directly to the download page, insert "pi" after "youtube" in the URL bar: "https://www.youtubepi.com/XXXXXXX". Alternatively, go to Y2Mate  webpage and paste the copied URL. Using savefrom.net Copy the URL of the YouTube you want to download (e.g., "https://www.youtube.com/XXXXXXX"). To go directly to the download page, add "ss" before "youtube.com" in the URL bar: "https://www.ssyoutube.com/XXXXXXX". Alternatively , go to savefrom.net  webpage and paste the copied URL. Select the desired video quality and click the "Download" button. NOTE: Downloading YouTube videos with audio at resolutions of 480 p and higher dire