I've been thinking that this blog is called rebuilding NOLA, but I've totally changed it up to volunteering at a Neuro ICU. Sorry if anyone didn't like the shift, but I feel I've learned a greater amount talking to nurses and watching their interactions with patients, doctors and other hospital staff; and the most interesting things I have to offer stems from my experience there.
So, let's talk about team-based healthcare. Simply put, the goal of recovery for a patient is a responsibility taken equally by every person involved: the doctors, the nurses, the patient and the patient's family. To do what's best for the patient's health, egos and power dynamics should be done away with. A shame it is when a doctor's ego stifles and discourages nurses' or anyone else opinions and concerns, which leads to a decline in health care and harm in some unfortunate cases. If anything, it is not problem of individuals, but a problem with a system; if hospitals can institute a structure (and incentives) for team-based approaches to healthcare, I suspect both patient satisfaction and overall health of the patients will improve. Drama only gets in the way, and steals the focus from what's important, the patient's health.
These are just thoughts I have as I ask nurses about how healthcare should be delivered. Although drama is everywhere and to deny it is denying our humanity, perhaps if we learned how to compose ourselves like a team rather than a top-down power dynamic, we may be able to overcome our selfish and petty concerns for our patients.
Sorry, no story for now, just thoughts. Until next time...
