Hennepin County Medical Center Field Research

It was an uneventful midmorning day, on the general medical floor; a list of patients already drawn out with what needed to be completed during our shift. A group of people huddled together discussing treatment plans and options. At that present time, rounding was just for physicians and physician assistants. But dietitians were recently included, so I got to watch as the providers presented their cases to one another. One individual stood out above the rest as she was presenting to her attending; she was confident, poised, and didn’t skip a beat during her presentation. Once the meeting was completed she sat down next to me and we started talking. She introduced herself as Becky, a physician assistant. Having never heard of the role before, she explained that she does examinations, diagnosing, carrying out investigations, as well as treatments and prescribing. Becky could tell I appeared very interested in this, and asked if I was able to spend some time shadowing to learn more about her role. The next patient she saw, I was able to go in the room with her and watch her examine a new patient, discuss his course of treatment, and follow up with the attending. She took me through the entire process of seeing a new patient from a PA perspective. That was all I really needed to get the wheels in my head turning for a new career.

As a criminal justice and psychology major, my primary experience has involved extensive research related to both fields. Specifically, my research experience has involved independent and collaborative work in designing and conducting different types of research projects that adheres to research method procedures and ethics. Through my studies, I have also attained knowledge regarding the structure of the correctional system, with

We are committed to giving our patients the highest level of care regardless of ability to pay.

In this paper I will describe the client scenario from my first six days of clinical practice at the medical ward of Eagle Ridge Hospital. I will reflect upon the salient learning experience received during the first 6 shifts at Eagle Ridge Hospital. I will explore the personal meaning of my clinical experience and will identify the plans for the next set of shifts.

Throughout this semester I completed an internship in psychology at Jefferson Center for Mental Health. Specifically I spent my time in a short term Hospital Alternative Facility (HAF). HAF is a residential facility that aids in transitioning home from the hospital, another Jefferson Center for Mental Health facility or a crisis situation. All of our clients have current mental health diagnoses, the most common of which are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. Clients stay for only a short time and the main objectives for their stay normally revolve around stabilizing meds and finalizing housing and living plans for the future. HAF provides services that are vital in that clients can have a stable residence so they can focus on managing symptoms and figuring out the best strategy to integrate themselves, with new goals back into their life. However, with all of HAF’s outstanding and vital qualities, there are also areas that I would suggest for improvement given what I have learned through my undergraduate education in psychology.

Each individuals’ perception is unique and is molded by their experiences. We are constantly learning and developing through the events around us. When I have participated in unfamiliar experiences, I not only increased my diversity, but also learned profound lessons which have altered my perspective. Expanding my horizons is important to me, and CCOM offers a very diverse patient clientele. Working with these patients during medical school provides the unique opportunity to be exposed to all walks of life. No two patients are the same, and with all of the different facilities, specialties, geographic locations, and patient demographics, CCOM allows countless opportunities to diversify patient care. This type of exposure not only allows for

This is a large complex, and finding your way from one location to another can be challenging for even our frequent visitors. The team reached out to patients and visitors on campus to get feedback on their experience during the visit. Follow up calls were made to visitors that expressed any concerns with navigating our facility. Signage on the campus was also reviewed for clarity and correctness and volunteers are now stationed at all entrances to assist our patients and visitors. We have also asked that all of our associates assist with taking people to their destination. The positive reaction we get when we ask someone if they need help has made us realize what a benefit this program has been for our patients and visitors. Patient satisfaction scores have increased and complaints have gone down as a result of the change recommended by this committee.

In my current role, as a medical receptionist and assistant, I am familiar with emergency situations, preliminary testing and providing positive support to both physicians and team members. I have experience with a range of patients from toddlers to elders. Moreover, most of the patient population I interact with are youth and young adults. I confirm their medical history with confidentiality and prepare their chart for the physician. Additionally, I conduct preliminary tests through specialized optometrist equipment. In the need of eye dilation or glaucoma work up, I provide care and complete all tests under the physician's supervision. The healthcare setting I work in is positive and professional. This type of environment makes me excel at both working with others and

Medicine is a unique field in the sense that being a healthcare worker requires cumulative knowledge and skills in order to provide care for others in a sensitive and effective manner. My first direct patient experience with healthcare came on a Sunday morning in the basement of a church that serves as a clinic for the homeless, or for those who cannot afford to receive medical care. I was tasked with escorting patients from the waiting room into a makeshift examination room, and to gather basic information (why they came in, past medical history, drug use, and how they were feeling). A man in 50’s was the next patient, and I escorted him back to the room to start my routine as usual. When I asked about any current drug usage, he unexpectedly

The very busy and highly demanding environment of Bellevue Hospital will allow me to observe the dynamics of relationship between different members of hospital staff and how the treatment is conducted from admission to discharge. What is more, through assisting the staff and patients, I will learn some elementary clinical skills that are essential to every healthcare professional. In addition to being exposed to a demanding clinical setting, I will be able to observe a myriad of different medical conditions, their clinical presentations and how medical history and current symptoms are collected to inform the treatment. As underserved population comprises a significant portion of people who receive treatment at Bellevue, I will be an active team member who will advocate for them and make sure that their stay at the hospital is as safe and effective as possible, given the limited accommodations and

On my drive from Columbia to Bamberg at 6 a.m. on Friday, I never fought that I would be embarking on an experience that would be the most meaningful to me. I arrived at Dr. McAlhaney's Family Practice and right away was ushered to her back office full of two nurses and office assistants answering to her demands. She told me to quickly grab a cusp and meter for a patient. This was the first time during shadowing a physician that I was expected to be on my feet and ready for anything. During this experience, I saw patients who were my family, friends, and neighbors. I saw people from my church and school, and even the person who fixes my sandwiches down at a local restaurant. This time was different for me because I felt that all these people

I got there early and was given a tour of the facility and was introduced to everyone by my primary mentor, Dr. Hatcher. At that moment, I felt that I would be working in a friendly environment and my fears were partially gone. Dr. Hatcher, as he was getting his computer ready to access his first patient’s profile, told me that I would be shadowing him all day and handed me a copy of my schedule for the rest of the internship, during which I would shadow the other five infectious disease (ID) physicians. I was excited but nervous as I did not know whether or not the patients would agree to have me in their exam rooms. My fear completely vanished upon being granted permission by the first patient. In addition to shadowing, I also spent several hours toward the end of the internship assisting with support groups at Higher Ground, a communal retreat and resource center established by Triad Health Project for persons with

Working in a hospital setting, one is exposed to so many issues that arise from patients, staffs, or the facility. One of the issues

First day of clinical was very scary and I was very nervous and worried that I would not learn anything out of the experience. It was not until I met my facilitator Jodi Phillips, who gave me hope and courage to give it a go. I also realized that I was not the only one that was so intimidated with administering medications to patients. First day of clinical started with pep talk and introductions and meeting with the team followed by orientation at the site. We met the nurses, health care aids and some patients admitted to the Senior Health and GAM unit 42 at Peter Lougheed Hospital. The environment is hospitable and has a supportive climate. The unit is clean; the noise kept to a minimum, little to completely no bad odor in most parts.

This summer I completed my field experience hours at Mercy Health Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan. I followed Holly Knowles PA-C around and learned about the responsibilities of a hospitalist. In previous summers, I have only shadowed PAs in a doctor’s office setting, so the hospital was new for me. Holly works in Internal Medicine on the post op and acute care floors. One of the first aspects of the hospital that I noticed was that it learned that the pace of the hospital is completely different from in the outpatient setting.