Thao'Quyen Truong

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER

1.     Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I am doing qualitative research under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Ventricelli. We are exploring the collaborative working relationship between community pharmacists and physicians in the prescribing and dispensing of Suboxone, or buprenorphine, a medication used to treat patients dealing with opioid use disorders, through interviews with community pharmacists in the Greater Philadelphia area. 

2.     What do you find fascinating in the research that you’re doing?

 As I’ve previously stated, this study is qualitative, meaning that our data isn’t a set of numbers, it’s a bunch of interview transcripts. It’s incredibly interesting to not only hear what community pharmacists have to say on the matter through transcribing these interviews, but the qualitative aspect of this study is a unique experience that I really enjoy. 

 3.      What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

 I am learning a handful of skills that I never really got to develop prior to working on this study. I’m learning how to conduct interviews, transcribe large amounts of data, and perform qualitative data analysis. 

 4.      What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

 The biggest challenge, by far, was recruitment for the study. I was provided a list of community pharmacist preceptors with the University to contact, and it took many days of calling to get the number of participants that we wanted for the study. I’m talking about a less than 10 percent success rate here, folks. 

 5.      How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

 This USURF experience is providing me more insight about the environment that community pharmacists work in, and their relationships with other healthcare providers. It’s incredibly valuable for me to become aware of these potential issues so that when I become a pharmacist, I’m well informed and know better how to deal with these situations. 

 6.      Tell us something interesting about yourself.

 Besides playing video games, my other favorite hobby is reading. I recently got a Kindle Paperwhite for my birthday, and it’s now one of my most prized possessions. It’s currently mid-July and I’ve read roughly 25 books since the start of the summer. I highly recommend!!