Today was pretty slow in the morning, and I went about doing the same routine as the previous two weeks, taking vitals of the patients. It was quite a bit slower this morning compared to last week, so there was a lot more down time.
I learned about running labs since I had extra time this morning and what copies and signatures are required on certain forms. I also met more of the doctors that volunteer regularly at the clinic as well as the one doctor that is paid and on staff four days a week.
The most prevalent conditions were still the same as previous weeks, but we did see more orthopedic patients with back pains today. Otherwise, patients were mostly diabetics.
I did get a response back from Eric Roland of Legacy Clinic. He said that if I was still interested, I could go by their clinic on Montrose and fill out a volunteer application, and he'll review applications after May 3rd when he gets back into his office. I believe I'm still interested in volunteering there to give me a change of pace and some more new experiences in health care, specifically working with HIV/AIDS patients.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Second Week
Today was a lot busier than last week, and I didn't have a moment to rest all morning. I went through the same routine of triage and taking vitals. I have gotten very proficient at taking blood pressure and knew to take my own stethoscope today that I got from my father.
Some patients actually recognized me from last week, and I met a lot more regulars that come to the clinic several times a month. There were no incredibly prevalent infectious diseases in any of the patients that came in this morning aside from a common cold. The most common condition was still diabetes, followed by high blood pressure. Often, the visit is just a follow-up or needing a refill on medication.
I shadowed the same Sister this morning, and talked a bit more with the medical coordinator, which was nice. I'm starting to feel more comfortable in the clinic, and they're allowing me more freedom and responsibilities, taking vitals and triage by myself.
One of my favorite parts of the morning, aside from meeting some of the really nice regular patients, was using some of the Spanish I've learned from 4 years in high school and 1 year of Spanish classes in college. The Sister does not speak Spanish, so she needed help conveying some of the questions and information to the patients who do not speak any English. It was definitely an interesting aspect of my volunteering today.
I've decided to get a book on basic Spanish for medical professions to start looking over because it would be good for my general knowledge. About 80 - 90% of patients at San Jose speak primarily Spanish, so it will really help ease my ability to work there this semester.
Overall, I really enjoyed my second week at the clinic, much more than my first!
Some patients actually recognized me from last week, and I met a lot more regulars that come to the clinic several times a month. There were no incredibly prevalent infectious diseases in any of the patients that came in this morning aside from a common cold. The most common condition was still diabetes, followed by high blood pressure. Often, the visit is just a follow-up or needing a refill on medication.
I shadowed the same Sister this morning, and talked a bit more with the medical coordinator, which was nice. I'm starting to feel more comfortable in the clinic, and they're allowing me more freedom and responsibilities, taking vitals and triage by myself.
One of my favorite parts of the morning, aside from meeting some of the really nice regular patients, was using some of the Spanish I've learned from 4 years in high school and 1 year of Spanish classes in college. The Sister does not speak Spanish, so she needed help conveying some of the questions and information to the patients who do not speak any English. It was definitely an interesting aspect of my volunteering today.
I've decided to get a book on basic Spanish for medical professions to start looking over because it would be good for my general knowledge. About 80 - 90% of patients at San Jose speak primarily Spanish, so it will really help ease my ability to work there this semester.
Overall, I really enjoyed my second week at the clinic, much more than my first!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
First Day
Today was my first day volunteering with the San Jose Clinic. I worked from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Since I previously worked in a family practice and have some experience, they let me spend the morning taking vitals of all the patients.
As Sam predicted, Wednesday was a lot slower than what I observed on Monday, and parking was not an issue for me this morning. I arrived and signed in, and she took a picture of me for my ID. She then let me follow a Sister around learning about the basic run of things. I spent most of my time in the prep room taking height, weight, temperature, bp, and pulse.
They have a primarily Hispanic patient demographic who often speak very little English. I have a basic knowledge of Spanish, but I could use a refresher for more medically focused Spanish. Though not an infectious disease, the most prevalent condition amongst patients is Diabetes. Often they are there to see a podiatrist.
When I worked in the family practice, the most common condition proved to be gout, also known as the "rich man's disease" since rich foods and alcohols cause a buildup of uric acid in the joints, causing the pain and swelling of gout. In this underserved clinic, this proves the opposite case since most are diabetic or have high blood pressure and are taking many different medications.
I still have not heard back from Legacy, so I'll need to try and contact them again. I would like to volunteer at Legacy on Mondays and San Jose on Wednesdays. So far, I am really enjoying my experience and learning a lot about the lower end of the health care spectrum. I cannot wait to go back next week and volunteer again.
As Sam predicted, Wednesday was a lot slower than what I observed on Monday, and parking was not an issue for me this morning. I arrived and signed in, and she took a picture of me for my ID. She then let me follow a Sister around learning about the basic run of things. I spent most of my time in the prep room taking height, weight, temperature, bp, and pulse.
They have a primarily Hispanic patient demographic who often speak very little English. I have a basic knowledge of Spanish, but I could use a refresher for more medically focused Spanish. Though not an infectious disease, the most prevalent condition amongst patients is Diabetes. Often they are there to see a podiatrist.
When I worked in the family practice, the most common condition proved to be gout, also known as the "rich man's disease" since rich foods and alcohols cause a buildup of uric acid in the joints, causing the pain and swelling of gout. In this underserved clinic, this proves the opposite case since most are diabetic or have high blood pressure and are taking many different medications.
I still have not heard back from Legacy, so I'll need to try and contact them again. I would like to volunteer at Legacy on Mondays and San Jose on Wednesdays. So far, I am really enjoying my experience and learning a lot about the lower end of the health care spectrum. I cannot wait to go back next week and volunteer again.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Informational Tour
This morning I had a brief informational tour at 9:30a.m. with Samantha Sherman of the San Jose Clinic. Despite Mondays being their busiest day, she was incredibly warm and welcoming. She provided more background on the clinic that added to what I previously learned from their website.
What surprised me most was they have a pretty extensive specialty care unit. Dermatology, endocrinology, cardiology, dentistry, and even a laboratory are present in the clinic amongst many other things. I really hope I can shadow doctors from all the different specialties. The parking was a nightmare at the clinic, but she said it gets better as the week progresses and things get a bit slower.
We sat down in her office and talked for a bit, going through my application. I begin volunteering on Wednesday morning from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. It might be difficult to get a lot of patient interaction since so many of the patients speak primarily Spanish. However, she said that she would speak to the medical coordinator and have me spend time interacting with patients, working with MA's, triage, as well as data entry work and other various projects.
I am definitely excited for my first day of volunteering!
What surprised me most was they have a pretty extensive specialty care unit. Dermatology, endocrinology, cardiology, dentistry, and even a laboratory are present in the clinic amongst many other things. I really hope I can shadow doctors from all the different specialties. The parking was a nightmare at the clinic, but she said it gets better as the week progresses and things get a bit slower.
We sat down in her office and talked for a bit, going through my application. I begin volunteering on Wednesday morning from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. It might be difficult to get a lot of patient interaction since so many of the patients speak primarily Spanish. However, she said that she would speak to the medical coordinator and have me spend time interacting with patients, working with MA's, triage, as well as data entry work and other various projects.
I am definitely excited for my first day of volunteering!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
First Response
I finally heard back today from Samantha Sherman of the San Jose clinic, and they are starting informational tours next week. I replied that I am able to come in for their 30 minute session on Monday morning. She accidentally forgot to attach all the volunteer information and forms to her email reply, so I am now waiting for that paperwork to fill out and bring with me on Monday.
I am incredibly eager to begin volunteering already and plan to go far beyond just the assigned 10 hours. This service learning credit proves important to more than just my grade but rather to my intended life path. I would really like to shadow physicians working at a place like the San Jose Clinic. They epitomize the selflessness and nobility of the medical profession, so few learning experiences can be more valuable than working with and analyzing these people.
Hopefully, Sam shall get back to me tomorrow so that I may get everything ready for the beginning of this semester's volunteering starting Monday!
I am incredibly eager to begin volunteering already and plan to go far beyond just the assigned 10 hours. This service learning credit proves important to more than just my grade but rather to my intended life path. I would really like to shadow physicians working at a place like the San Jose Clinic. They epitomize the selflessness and nobility of the medical profession, so few learning experiences can be more valuable than working with and analyzing these people.
Hopefully, Sam shall get back to me tomorrow so that I may get everything ready for the beginning of this semester's volunteering starting Monday!
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Beginning
Upon receiving this assignment, I loved the opportunity to incorporate service learning and clinical experience with theory-based lecture. A lab course supplementing a lecture is one thing, but actual clinical experience, whether it be filing or directly dealing with patients, proves something entirely different and far more valuable.
I plan on going to medical school and becoming an oncologist, so any real-life involvement is crucial. I grew up immersed in the medical field but never an underserved area. My experience deals with plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedic surgery, and oncology. I want to broaden my exposure to all different types of health care.
On Wednesday afternoon, I inquired into volunteering at the San Jose Clinic and the Legacy Community Health Services Clinic. The San Jose Clinic offers various primary health care services which interest me, and Legacy works with HIV/AIDS patients as well as treating sexual health and other primary care services, sparking my interest further. I fully expect this semester to prove interesting in diversifying my views on the medical field.
I plan on going to medical school and becoming an oncologist, so any real-life involvement is crucial. I grew up immersed in the medical field but never an underserved area. My experience deals with plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedic surgery, and oncology. I want to broaden my exposure to all different types of health care.
On Wednesday afternoon, I inquired into volunteering at the San Jose Clinic and the Legacy Community Health Services Clinic. The San Jose Clinic offers various primary health care services which interest me, and Legacy works with HIV/AIDS patients as well as treating sexual health and other primary care services, sparking my interest further. I fully expect this semester to prove interesting in diversifying my views on the medical field.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
