For the past year, working as a Crossroad VIP from my apartment bedroom has made it difficult
to fully understand my position and the work that the organization does for the community. I
would dutifully schedule appointments and speak with patients during my shift, but I had a hard
time understanding the purpose of my role. Without the patient interactions or seeing the other
members of the Crossroad team, it was difficult to understand the larger picture of “what is
Crossroad Health Center”.
It wasn’t until I finally was able to come in-person and see the other members of the Crossroad
team working that I began to see how much of an impact Crossroad has on one’s health and
wellbeing. My first day in the OTR clinic, I was shocked by how many patients and families
were coming in for appointments and how many physicians, medical assistants, nurse
practitioners, schedulers, etc. were working to keep the process efficient and useful for
individuals. I appreciated seeing the medical providers take the time to speak with each patient,
ask them about their lives, get to know them on a personal level, and provide the best medical
care possible. Within my first few weeks of being in-person, I have gained a whole new
appreciation for the opportunity to work in this clinic. It doesn’t feel as much like an obligation
to talk with health care providers and doctors’ offices for patients, but instead I am excited to
report back to a patient that we got their appointment taken care of for them. Being of any
assistance to the patients or medical team and staff feels like a privilege and I am excited to keep
learning from the people at Crossroad.
If I could give advice to the past “me” that was making virtual patient calls, it would have been
to remember the bigger picture. I have benefitted so much from taking a step back and realizing
my role in the network of Crossroad members and I cannot wait to continue to be a part of the
team.
No comments:
Post a Comment