Urgent work

Journal 2

Problem areas that maybe hindering my performance

As I stated earlier, I started as an observer. Sitting and watching people maybe an addition in my

work plan, but I always yearned for more. When you go to hospitals as a patient, you feel like

communicating to any medical officer, reduces the pain. I felt like the observer site was

hindering me from this. I wanted to be out there taking the tests not observing my superiors do

the test. If the observers were being rotated to taking the tests then I would feel like my skills

were being sharpened.

The fact that while at the observer, there were other duties was also a problem to me.as an

observer, I was giving out the testing sticks and explaining to them on how to use them. This

means while you are busy talking to the patient, you may miss a detail of an ongoing test. This

translates to guess work and the results are approximation. An observer should only be left to

look into the smooth running of the testing. In such cases, they will fail to fulfil their duties as

observers.

The other site of my internship is at the register. There are several factors that are hindering my

performance. Let us start with one of the safety measures of the pandemic; mask wearing. As we

have all noticed, it is becoming hard to hear what people are saying behind those masks. This has

translated in having to ask the patients repeat their names. With some you may have to do it

several times so that you can capture the right information. In case you mess the information of

these patients, then you will find tracing them when needed is almost impossible.

The wearing of masks continues to be a problem to my performance. We can all agree that

asking for the same information several times is annoying and irritating. On the other hand,

having them with no marks is a risk to your life and theirs. This ends me up in having a slow

work pace. The slowness may end up getting less people get tested. This is because, all tests start

with the register.

I have always had a problem talking to new people. This is because they have a new view of you

as a person. There are scenarios where patients feel like interns do not qualify to give any

information concerning their health. This is for the mere reason that they are yet to graduate.

Addressing people at first was my challenge. Humanity also has this mode of reasoning that, if

you do not appear to be comfortable addressing them, the information you are passing might be

distorted. I have had to adjust and now I feel comfortable talking to them.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to give directions to someone when you both new in the

place? This was a pandemic that was not expected. This means, those coming for tests may not

be conversant with the health center that I am at. I have also been mostly in the classroom areas.

The unfamiliarity of both parties was now the problem. I would direct someone to some room,

and when they miss it, they will come back for clarifications. The result of this is a delay in the

process.

I plan to be very keen when the patient is saying their names. This will help me to grasp- their

information at the first chance. I will also try to be discreet while giving details to facilitate

sending them to the right room. Despite the problems, I have learnt to multitask. At the register

for instance you have to listen and write at the same time. My association with people has really

improved. I feel at ease when taking their details.