Volunteering at a Crossroads has been an informative and enjoyable experience. While volunteering at Crossroads, I learned about the difficulties patient encounter with getting to referrals. For some patients, scheduling referrals can be nerve wracking. For other patients, getting a ride to a referral is difficult. As a crossroads volunteer, I help schedule referrals that best meets patient availability, and I schedule transportation as needed. Another enjoyable experience has been making patient cases for certain medications, refills, or appointments with primary care practitioner. While volunteering at Crossroads, I developed confidence with making phone calls. I am now better able to communicate with patients and specialists. This will help me become better at communicating when I become a future doctor. Additionally, I had the opportunity to shadow a health professional at Crossroads. I shadowed a well checkup visit and heard the professional talk to patients about different issues that might be encountered. I also heard the health care professional listen and talk about different possibilities with the patient. The health care professional scheduled ordered a referral for the patient. That helped me further understand the role of VIPs. Hearing VIPS call a patient to remind them that either a patient needs to either schedule a referral or get help scheduling a referral can help ensure that patients remember the referral and are able to get to the referral. When people are stressed in their daily lives, it can be hard to remember a referral appointment. Calling patients to remind them to go to a referral appointment is sometimes helpful for patients. Overall, I enjoyed my experience as a VIP, and I would tell future VIPS to enjoy, learn, and reflect on the experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment