I started my Crossroad VIP rotation during the start of 2021 when VIPs were volunteering in a fully online mode. Although learning how to make referral calls and schedule appointments from online videos was a huge obstacle for me to overcome, I ended my first rotation with a newfound appreciation for the medical professionals and patients who had to navigate the referral process. To be completely honest, I did not have much, if any, insight into what a referral was or how to schedule an appointment before starting at Crossroad. I vividly remember starting my first shift at home and experiencing the time-consuming process of being transferred from department to department to schedule an appointment for a patient. After working multiple online shifts, I understood how valuable of a resource this is for patients who don’t have the time to call and schedule their appointments due to their work or responsibilities. Although I would have preferred working my volunteer shifts in person my first rotation, I really valued my initial experience being able to work on online referrals and still be able to help patients. One thing I really enjoy about in-person shifts at Crossroad are the opportunities we have at our disposal to converse with medical professionals and doctors. It is fascinating to see how they work and interact with patients. It’s nice to see how accommodating and understanding the Crossroad staff are with patients from different backgrounds and cultures. Ultimately, being in the CVIP program has exposed me to a different aspect of the medical industry and has enabled me to learn valuable interpersonal skills from observing distinguished staff interactions with patients.
No comments:
Post a Comment