First Impressions: Attending the CAPT National Professional Development Conference in Niagara Falls.

We are grateful we had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians (CAPT) conferences in Niagara Falls the weekend of May 31^st – June 2^nd, 2024. This was a great platform for technicians from all over Canada to converge, exchange knowledge, and foster personal and professional growth. In this blog post, we embark on a journey through the lens of pharmacy technicians travelling to a conference, exploring the facets of expanded networking, learning, growth, travel, and budget considerations.

At the heart of any conference lies the opportunity to network, and pharmacy technician conferences are no exception. These events gather technicians from diverse backgrounds and settings, creating an environment ripe for forging connections, sharing experiences, and establishing collaborations. From informal conversations over coffee to structured networking sessions, attendees have the chance to expand their professional circle, potentially opening doors to new career opportunities and mentorship relationships.

Nurturing knowledge and continual learning is the cornerstone of professional development, and pharmacy technician conferences offer an array of educational opportunities. Exploring advancements in pharmaceutical technology or honing communication skills for patient interactions, these learning experiences empower technicians to enhance their competence and adaptability in an ever-evolving field. A couple of key takeaways from the weekend were the need to re-focus on building strong relationships with our patients and remembering that we are the face of our pharmacies and our profession no matter where we work.

Cultivating new personal and professional relationships is very important. This helps us learn new things, but also remember some of the information we haven’t used in a while. Stepping out of your comfort zone is hard but necessary for growth to happen. We had an evening reception with the vendors that was meant to mingle and meet new people. There were many new faces because we were in a different province and, it was interesting to hear how different pharmacy sites were handling workload and staff shortages.

Some of the session topics included;

• Perspectives on smoking cessation, did you know there is a new product on the market? Our patients need us to speak to them often to see if they are ready to try and quit or try again to quit. Patients need to feel like we are not judging them but supporting them on this journey.
• Inhaled delivery devices, there are also two new devices on the market to aid in delivering inhaled medications. Many people with asthma continue to have suboptimal control, sometimes due to the way they are inhaling their medication.
• Battling the Opioid Crisis, patients who are on methadone treatment often give up important social, occupational or recreational activities to follow the treatment regimen. We can be understanding and empathetic when dealing with our patients as all these areas contribute to their continued success in the program.
• Therapeutic Considerations of Biosimilars, did you know there can be pushback from physicians and patients to try biosimilars? In some cases, patients do better when switched.
• Food Allergies, Anaphylaxis and treatment with Epinephrine, we learned the importance of epinephrine as a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. This was a hands-on session, we were given training EpiPens and Allerject devices to use and take back to our workplaces.
• On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis, did you know that healthcare emissions make up 4.6% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions, and of that 4.6%, 25% of that is pharmaceuticals. We all have a responsibility to be educated and help with sustainability in our workplaces.

When you look at the conference topics do you ever think, I have heard so much on this topic, enough already? Every presenter has a different way of looking at a topic and you can still learn something new or reinforce information you already have by attending again. We learned this lesson with a couple of the topics covered at this conference.

Embarking on a journey to somewhere new can be exciting and overwhelming. From the time away from home and our loved ones to organizing all the travel details and making sure you are where you need to be at the right time. The allure of a pharmacy technician conference extends beyond its educational offerings to the prospect of travel. Whether venturing to a neighbouring city or across the country, the opportunity to explore new destinations adds an element of enjoyment and adventure to the conference experience. From sampling local cuisine to discovering cultural landmarks, travel fosters personal enrichment and fosters a sense of camaraderie among attendees as they navigate the conference together and explore the host city’s offerings during downtime. We were lucky enough to be able to see Niagara Falls during the day and at night, we recommend you do both. There is so much to do centred right around multiple hotels, your downtime can be spent having fun while networking.

While the benefits of attending a pharmacy technician conference are undeniable, budget considerations often weigh heavily on professionals’ minds. From registration fees to travel expenses and accommodations, the cost of participation can add up quickly. However, with careful planning and resourcefulness, technicians can maximize the value of their investment. Exploring early bird discounts, seeking out scholarship/funding opportunities, and sharing lodging costs with colleagues are just a few strategies to make attendance more financially feasible without compromising on the quality of the experience.

We (the writers) have worked together on the PTSA Board but didn’t know each other personally. We both enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. Building this relationship also enriches us personally and expands our network. Another possibility is to use the time to travel with your family and tack on a couple of days before or after the conference so everyone can enjoy the experience.

In essence, a pharmacy technician conference represents more than just a gathering of professionals—it embodies a transformative journey of networking, learning, growth, travel, and budget management. By actively participating in these events, technicians not only elevate their skills and knowledge but also contribute to the collective advancement of the pharmacy profession. As we reflect on the impact of these conferences, let us embrace the opportunities they afford us to connect, evolve, and thrive in our roles as indispensable members of the healthcare community.

Click here for more information on PTSA’s 2024 conference.

Written by Carlynn Bullock and Loren Voice, our bio’s are found here.