I began my time at Crossroad in the blissful period before COVID occupied any of our minds. However, I would not consider it unfortunate that I was only able experience being a VIP in the clinic for a few months because it has given me a greater perspective of the realities of healthcare.
For individuals fortunate enough to experience the effects of COVID mainly through the news, secure in work that they can do at home and able to avoid public places, their lived experiences during this pandemic are very different from others in their community. I consider myself in the group- I listen to the news every day, but I am able to do it in my house as I complete my education going to virtual classes. Being a VIP, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, I remember listening to news stories about how COVID has affected all aspects of healthcare, but spending time with patients over the phone revealed some of the lived experiences the news could not describe. Repeatedly, I’d call an office to hear that all non-urgent appointments had been canceled with no date set for rescheduling. This was followed by a phone call explaining to patients that their appointment has been canceled because their health condition was deemed non urgent or they won’t be able to bring their loved one for support to an appointment. I listened to patients worried with a pressing health condition, but not able to see a provider in person, patients unsure if they would be able to go to an appointment without their loved one with them, or individuals able to go to appointments but they were concerned about the high risk they are for COVID. Through these experiences as a VIP, I’ve gained a unique perspective of how COVID has affected much more in healthcare than just who are directly infected with the virus.
Before and now during the pandemic, being part of the Crossroad VIP team has made me more aware of the lack of accessibility to healthcare that many individuals in our community face. From phone calls and in clinic visits with patients and understanding of the obstacles and barriers that exist for many people to receive quality healthcare, even before they were exasperated by the pandemic - I am in part incredulous that this reality exists in our country and also compelled to continue the impact I can make as a VIP. More than that, I am driven to seek further how else my actions can have a sustainable effect to ensure that access to healthcare is not privilege for some but a human right for all.
For individuals fortunate enough to experience the effects of COVID mainly through the news, secure in work that they can do at home and able to avoid public places, their lived experiences during this pandemic are very different from others in their community. I consider myself in the group- I listen to the news every day, but I am able to do it in my house as I complete my education going to virtual classes. Being a VIP, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, I remember listening to news stories about how COVID has affected all aspects of healthcare, but spending time with patients over the phone revealed some of the lived experiences the news could not describe. Repeatedly, I’d call an office to hear that all non-urgent appointments had been canceled with no date set for rescheduling. This was followed by a phone call explaining to patients that their appointment has been canceled because their health condition was deemed non urgent or they won’t be able to bring their loved one for support to an appointment. I listened to patients worried with a pressing health condition, but not able to see a provider in person, patients unsure if they would be able to go to an appointment without their loved one with them, or individuals able to go to appointments but they were concerned about the high risk they are for COVID. Through these experiences as a VIP, I’ve gained a unique perspective of how COVID has affected much more in healthcare than just who are directly infected with the virus.
Before and now during the pandemic, being part of the Crossroad VIP team has made me more aware of the lack of accessibility to healthcare that many individuals in our community face. From phone calls and in clinic visits with patients and understanding of the obstacles and barriers that exist for many people to receive quality healthcare, even before they were exasperated by the pandemic - I am in part incredulous that this reality exists in our country and also compelled to continue the impact I can make as a VIP. More than that, I am driven to seek further how else my actions can have a sustainable effect to ensure that access to healthcare is not privilege for some but a human right for all.
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