Jared Bonaparte submitted 2015-12-20
What is the purpose of pursuing an education? Is it just for financial gain or for the recognition of our success? Overtime, education has truly lost its purpose in today’s selfish and money-hungry society. We spend so much time, energy, and money in order to receive an “education” that was of no benefit to us. Education must enable a man (and women) to become more efficient to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals in life. The function of education therefore is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically (Martin Luther King Junior). While tangible items and financial gain are good, however it should not be a catalyst for pursuing an education. The skills and knowledge that are acquired overtime should be used to help improve the communities that we come from and to even save someone’s life. Furthermore, this essay will expound on how I as a medical student will prepare mentally and physically before performing life saving techniques on patients.
As it was already stated, basic life support is a vital skill that all healthcare providers need to poses in order to be prepared for any emergency situation. The term basic life support refers to maintaining an airway and supporting breathing and circulation. Approximately 70% of all cases of cardiac arrest occur out of the hospital, often in the victim’s home. Early intervention by a bystander calling for the emergency services and initiating CPR can drastically improve eventual outcome (British Journal of Anesthesia). Being a student I have yet to experience or engage in a situation that requires basis life support. However I have taken the steps to prepare now so that I am ready when the time comes to help someone in need. It is important to constantly be ready for the unexpected. A situation such as cardiac arrest or near-drowning incidents occurs so quickly and requires immediate attention that I may not be able to mentally prepare. Many aspects such a mental clarity, communication, and patience would allow me to handle a life-saving situation effectively.
The psychological challenges that healthcare providers face on a daily basis are related to exposure to patients and their families who are traumatized by suffering nearly unbearable losses. These challenges are a mixture of long hours of work, decreased sleep, less time with loved ones, and lack of physical activity. Self care, self-monitoring and peer monitoring is just as important as caring for patients (Hanson). When the mind and body are not taken care of properly a person will not have clarity of thought which will affect their response to the emergency situation at hand. If the mind is not clear, the knowledge and skills that have been learned may not come to mind when it is truly needed. That’s where exercise, proper rest, and a balanced diet come in so you are alert and mentally sharp to handle the demands as a health care professional. It is important to hold yourself and others that you work with accountable to take care of themselves so they care take care of their patients also.
Whether you are alone or with other health care providers, communication is vital during emergency medical situations. Current research indicates that ineffective communication among health care professionals is one of the leading causes of medical errors and patient harm. Most health care facilities have a hierarchical structure where certain health care providers view themselves as being greater than which can lead to a restraint in communication instead of a sense of openness and safety. Effective interpersonal communication skills will not only help the patient but the people you are working with as well.
If a patient is uncooperative or unpleasant it decreases the capacity for patience when one is deprived of proper foods, rest, and social activities. Engaging with those who do not treat you well on a consistent basis will affect you emotionally. When it is not dealt with, a person will not exhibit high quality emergency medical care to their patients. Patience is not something that is learned in a book it has to be practiced on a consistent basis.
In conclusion, health care providers are vital to our society. Whether you are a nurse, physical therapist, or a physician we all take part in improving the well being of the people we take care. No particular area of health care is greater than the other. As students we are to take every aspect of our education seriously because at some point someone’s life will be in our hands. Yes, we are working and need money to make a living but our main goal is to save the lives of those who are unable to help themselves.
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