The
first time I visited Crossroad, my first inclination was to turn around in the
opposite direction. I grew up in small town Indiana. Everyone is white, middle
class, and knows one another. When I entered OTR, I was propelled into a new
world, one with an underserved population. I have always wanted to be a doctor
and have done the usual preparations: advanced science classes, research, job
shadowing, etc. However, my few short months at Crossroad has helped me
discover a whole new side of healthcare: patients’ struggles.
My
first couple of weeks included job shadowing, where I was paired with Dr.
O’Dea. This was unlike any shadowing experience I have had before. Dr. O’Dea
was really engaged with me. She was sure to give me each patient’s background
before we entered the room and after each visit, answered the barrage of
questions I had about each appointment. She was also the PCP that got the
Spanish-speaking patients. Having studied the language in Chile three years
prior, it was a lot of fun testing my skills with these patients and even
learning some new vocabulary.
One
thing that hit me the most while shadowing was when a patient did not show up
to the appointment (of which there were plenty), Dr. O’Dea was not angry or
discouraged. Other providers I have shadowed in the past would become irritated
when a patient was a “no-show” and would view it as a sign of disrespect.
However, Dr. O’Dea informed that many of the patients are so busy that a
doctor’s appointment is the last thing on their minds. Many work multiple jobs
or jobs that have long or irregular shift hours. Some cannot get childcare or
transportation. She explained that this does not anger her, but saddens her
that these people’s lives are so crazy busy that they have to put their own health
on the backburner. It was at that moment I realized healthcare was not as
simple as I thought it to be.
Working
as a CVIP has shown me that patients need support as well. This job isn’t easy.
I can make dozens of phone calls a day and get nothing but voicemails, disconnected
numbers, or disgruntled patients. It can be hard keeping up with the multiple
cases we are assigned. It can be frustrating communicating with some patients.
It is certainly disheartening when you cannot schedule an urgent appointment
for a patient just because of insurance or limited availability. However, there
is obviously good that comes from it. The satisfaction of finally making the
appointment, the humility learned from listening to the patients’ stories, and
the gracious smile and “thank you Ms. Erica” that a patient gives after you
help them. I certainly recommend becoming a CVIP. It is an eye-opening,
inspiring, and gratifying experience that you cannot get at just any hospital. I
am grateful to every provider, fellow VIP, and patient that has made this
experience so worth it.
-- Erica Geers
No comments:
Post a Comment