Day 3- First Day at the Clinic

 

Today was our first clinic day and it was honestly really eye opening.  I was able to see just how appreciative people are when someone is there to help their community.  It also made me realize how many things we take for granted back home, like having toliet seats, clean water, or something simple like Tylenol when we need it.  Seeing the children come in a little nervous but still trusting us to help the really said a lot about the community and the trust they were willing to give us.

One patient interatction that really stood out to me today was a little girl who kept hanging out with us and playing.  She had such a big smile and just seemed happy to be around us.  The fact that she felt comfortable enough to just come up and spend time with a group of foreigners really meant a lot.  It made me think about how trusting and welcoming this community is.  When I was younger, I don't think I would have felt comfortable going up to strangers, especially if they were from another country, so it really showed how open and kind the people here are.

One way I tried to show dignity and respect was by really trying to use the Spanish that I know.  I know i am not fluent, but I wanted to make an effort because we are in their country and their environment.  I felt like the least we could do was try to meet them halfway and communicate with them the best we could.  Even small efforts to speak their language felt like a way of showing respect.

While watching the providers today, I learned a lot about being flexible and problem solving.  I saw the pharmacist working hard to figure out ways to help patients get the medication they needed.  There were a few times where we didn't have the exact medicaiton or the exact dose that we might normally use, but they still found ways to work with what we had available.  It showed me how important it is to adapt and do the best you can with the resources you have.

Cultural humility shaped the way I though about caring for people today.  I reminded myself that everyone is human and that we are all nervous or scared when dealing with new situations, especially when it comes to healthcare.  Thinking about it that way helped me approach people with more patience and understanding instead of assuming anything about them.

One skill I strengthened today was my Spanish.  I still know that I have a lot to learn, but today gave me a chance to practice more than I usually do.  Even if I didn't say everything perfectly, I tried my best to communicate and connect with people.  I think the community appreciates when we put in the effort to speak their language.

My goal for tomorrow in the clinic is to focus more on connecting with the patients.  Today I think I was a little worried because there were so many people waiting to be seen, and I felt like I needed to rush from one thing to the next.  Tommorrow I want to slow down just a little and take the time to actually connect with the people we are helping.  Even small moments of conversation can make a difference in how patients feel.