I am working at the University Endoscopy Center (UEC) in Cincinnati for my first co-op. In this position, I primarily assist nurses, techs and other staff in their roles. On days when I am working at the nurse’s station or on the floor, I make beds, lead patients back from procedures, call patients ahead of their operationes, etc. I also help with office-related tasks and make sure we are stocked with necessities like wipes, PPE, paper towels, and warm blankets for the patients. Sometimes I do “bedside,” or perform pre-cleaning on dirty scopes and prepare the room for the next patient. When that is the case, it is important that that such activities be my primary task since it is necessary to be ready to change the room over quickly and avoid falling behind schedule. I still help help out on the floor briefly if needed, but I prioritize tasks that will enable the entire unit to function smoothly.
I am also fortunate to take part in various learning opportunities, such as attending conferences for residents and fellows at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. One of the best experiences is shadowing doctors when they conduct their grand rounds. This helps professional staff to stay current in their field by observing procedures and learning about new approaches.
This co-op has been extremely valuable to me because It has given me a clearer idea of what I may want to pursue as a career, I now believe I should be in veterinary medicine since the biomedical science I am learning about every day is fascinating, I enjoy the clinical environment and the tasks I perform. I have also learned about and seen firsthand some of the things that can happen inside the colon and upper gastrointestinal tract. This is why relatively frequent screening procedures are vital to staying healthy and living a longer life.
Working at UEC and shadowing at UC Medical Center has allowed me to understand how the healthcare system works and how it appears from the inside. Patient privacy is taken more seriously than I would have guessed. Specific conditions can be spoken about freely , but names and dates of birth are details that cannot be shared under most circumstances, A patient’s name is rarely said by or to anyone outside of the patient’s care. Ensuring there is no confusion around a patient’s care is also a concern here. Before each procedure, everyone in the room has to complete a “time out” in which they confirm the patient’s name, date of birth, procedure, consent to the procedure, name of the doctor, Eeryone has to agree to the information and precautions before the procedure can proceed.
This co-op has halped me understand some of our nation’s healthcare problems. The science is advanced and the organization I am involved with is operating well; however, the overall healthcare “system” with its problematic insurance interface is painfully difficult for some people to navigate. This can present insurmountable barriers to receiving care for some people. It should be obvious that healthcare can also be inaccessible for financial reasons; a lifesaving preventative procedure like a colonoscopy is not covered by all insurance, and many of the patients I interact with at least have a copay. Some pay out of pocket and many of us don’t even have that privilege. Unequal access to quality healthcare is also a problem, and while shadowing I have seen patients who travel far to receive good care, not trusting the medical institutions in their own cities.
Overall, this co-op has been an invaluable opportunity to gain knowledge, experience the healthcare system from a new perspective, and see what doctors, nurses and techs do on a daily basis.
