Career Reflection Assignment (1)

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School

University of Toronto, Mississauga *

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Course

209

Subject

Health Science

Date

May 7, 2024

Type

pdf

Pages

3

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VOLUNTEERING VOLUNTEERING Over the past two years, I have dedicated my time to volunteering at the Milton District Hospital. Initially assisting with meal support for the surgical unit, my role transitioned to providing support within the dementia unit. As a meal support volunteer, my responsibilities included providing patients with liquids such as sugar-free juices, water, and tea, as well as snacks. I also helped my patients with their lunch and supper meals by serving them, supervising them, and providing a comfortable environment for them to enjoy their meals. journey has been enlightening, affording me invaluable insights into the dynamic and demanding nature of the medical profession. Interacting with diverse individuals has enriched my understanding and reinforced the significance of patience in healthcare settings. AT THE MILTON DISTRICT AT THE MILTON DISTRICT MY DUTIES AS A MEAL SUPPORT VOLUNTEER Handing out Juice, Water and Tea Handing out snacks Refill in the kitchen (Straws, cutlery) Supervising patients Feeding meals (cutting food into bite-sized pieces or helping them drink their juice) Collecting meal trays Providing a comfortable environment for patients and family A) Personal C) BIO209 Learning B) Community I gained so much knowledge regarding how things moved in the medical field, how fast-paced the environment was and how much the doctors and nurses had to work around and make sure each patient was given proper medical attention every moment. I learned how to interact with patients, how to greet them and how to provide for them. My role was to provide them with juice, water and tea along with snacks. I also helped with meal trays and making a comfortable environment for when my patients would have lunch. The individuals I encountered were an absolute delight; the nurses exhibited remarkable care and dedication. In reality, it was the nurses who executed the majority of tasks, with doctors only present once a week, while the nurses handled everything else. They are genuinely superheroes, and in my opinion, their contributions are undervalued considering the substantial workload and level of patient care they provide daily. My role as a volunteer involved ensuring our patients and their families felt as comfortable as possible, fostering an environment akin to a home away from home. Consequently, I engaged in extensive conversations with patients, listening to their stories and sharing some of my own. One particular patient recounted memories of her late husband from WW2, expressing her enduring love as if they had just begun dating. Despite her husband's passing over 45 years ago, her narrative filled the room with warmth, illustrating the profound impact of shared experiences. Through these interactions, I discovered the significance of simply listening and conversing, realizing that even without practicing medicine directly, I could still contribute significantly to a patient's well-being. This experience underscored the vital role of mental health in patient recovery and highlighted the power of fostering a positive emotional environment. BIO209 focused on many systems such as the heart, cardiovascular system, respiratory and much more. Many of the case studies were cases I had seen during my time when I was assigned to the surgical floor. Modules 2 to 6 focused on the heart to the respiratory system and taught me how to read heart monitors. Volunteering in a hospital often involves assisting medical staff with various tasks. Understanding anatomy enables me to assist with patient care more effectively. For example, I was asked to help with positioning patients for procedures, taking vital signs, or even providing basic first aid. I did do the First Aid Course with St John Ambulance about a few months before started to volunteer. In emergencies, every second counts. My knowledge of anatomy can help me identify symptoms and provide assistance quickly. For example, recognizing the signs of a heart attack or respiratory distress and knowing how to respond appropriately could potentially save lives. This doesn’t relate to volunteering or BIO209, but in BIO208 we focused on learning about the bones and muscles, now the clinic I work at is Physiomed Milton which is a clinic that provides physiotherapy and chiro. I can now easily understand where a patient seems to experience chronic pain or difficulty walking. I can write reports and letters with the proper medical terms that I learned from in BIO208. HOSPITAL HOSPITAL CAREER EVALUATION CAREER EVALUATION EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIENCE... EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIENCE... BY: SAMIYA KHAN BY: SAMIYA KHAN
G G O O A A L L S S Contribute positively to the well-being of patients by providing them with nutritious meals and emotional support during their hospital stay. 1. Raise awareness about the importance of volunteerism in healthcare settings and encourage others to get involved in similar initiatives. 2. Foster a sense of community within the hospital environment by building relationships with patients, families, and staff members. 3. Act as an advocate for patients' rights and dignity, ensuring they receive respectful and compassionate care throughout their hospital experience. 4. Apply anatomical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-life situations, such as understanding the impact of medical conditions on patients' physical health. 1. Gain insight into the physiological changes associated with aging and how they manifest in patients with dementia. 2. Explore the anatomical basis of medical procedures and treatments encountered during my volunteer work, such as surgical interventions. 3. Deepen my understanding of the human body's structure and function through hands-on experiences in a clinical setting, complementing theoretical learning in the classroom. 4. PERSONAL GOALS COMMUNITY GOALS BIO209 LEARNING GROWTH Enhance my communication skills by interacting with patients and healthcare professionals in a diverse environment. 1. Develop empathy and compassion towards patients, especially those suffering from dementia, by understanding their needs and providing meaningful support. 2. Improve my time management and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced medical setting. 3. Gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare system and the roles of various healthcare professionals. 4. S E L F A S S E S S M E N T Well really, well I think throughout the 2 years I gained so much knowledge regarding proper communication skills and how to work with patients to provide them with their needs. I made sure I made different interactive ways to ask patients what their needs were. Some patients had difficulty hearing or seeing so speaking in different tones, or asking them through writing to make sure I could get what they needed. I learned by watching my peers, and seeing how they communicated with different patients, what they do if some patients were being difficult Contribute positively to the well-being of patients by providing them with nutritious meals and emotional support during their hospital stay. Each patient has specific dietary restrictions, which require careful attention. Some patients are allowed to have sugar while others are not, and it is crucial to thoroughly research and check their files to ensure compliance. Although I made some mistakes initially, I have since learned from them and diligently made notes to ensure that no patient is accidentally given something they cannot have. I applied the anatomical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-life situations, such as understanding the impact of medical conditions on patients' physical health. However, as a volunteer, my role primarily involves observation, allowing me to learn firsthand how different systems in our body affect people in their day-to-day lives. Through interacting with a variety of patients, I had the opportunity to deepen my understanding through practical experience rather than solely relying on theoretical knowledge. Witnessing patients experiencing the health issues we focused on during the semester was particularly enlightening. It was fascinating to observe their symptoms, behaviors, and dietary choices as they coped with their conditions.
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