#HMP- Medicine

Tag: #HMP- Medicine

THE HOPES AND JOYS OF HOSPICE: CHAPTER 2 – THE VOLUNTEERING PROCESS

Congratulations, you are now a hospice volunteer or thinking about volunteering at a hospice center in a hospital or clinic. Here comes the ‘now what?’ questions. What do you do and do not do on your shift? What do you say and not say? Where do you go and not go? And how do you do it? Most of these questions and more might/will have already been answered in the training sessions. But the most important questions would be ‘Why?’ and again ‘How’. Why is it important to volunteer at a hospice center and how do you even volunteer?

Let us begin by starting to think about delivery as a volunteer. Note that a hospice volunteer is a person who will not only keep the company of patients but also ensure and support the nurses and workers in the vicinity. The truth is that most hospice volunteers do not have a planned duty like other volunteering opportunities have set out. This does not mean that there are no tasks for volunteers in hospice centers. Hospice facilities need volunteers around not just because of the experiences volunteers will gain, which includes direct patient contact, but also because volunteers are essential for institutions like clinics and hospitals to maintain the communal and friendly environment needed for patients to not feel burdened or stressed emotionally and mentally.

Volunteers are essential in hospice centers as they offer compassionate support to patients and their families during some of the most difficult times. They provide companionship, emotional comfort, and practical help, significantly improving the quality of life of patients. By alleviating loneliness and isolation, volunteers create a vital human connection that enhances emotional well-being. They engage in activities like reading, conversing, and offering a comforting presence, which can be deeply soothing for patients and their loved ones.

Hospitals and hospice centers often face significant resource limitations, and volunteers help address critical care gaps. By handling non-medical tasks, volunteers allow nurses and other healthcare professionals to concentrate on specialized medical care. They assist with administrative duties, run errands, or offer respite care, giving family members a much-needed break. This support is vital to maintaining an efficient and responsive healthcare environment. Moreover, volunteers bring diverse skills and perspectives, enriching the care setting with their unique talents.

The involvement of volunteers in hospice care highlights a community’s dedication to supporting its members and promoting a sense of unity and care. Volunteers frequently become advocates for hospice services in their communities, raising awareness and fostering a culture of compassion and empathy. Their contributions extend beyond immediate care to support the broader mission of hospice centers, which is to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. By bridging the gap between professional healthcare and the personal touch of community care, volunteers ensure that patients receive comprehensive support that meets both their physical and emotional needs.

Despite all these fully structured and well-formatted duties of volunteers, there is still some randomness to being a hospice volunteer. Each hospice patient has unique needs and emotional challenges, so volunteers need to be flexible and ready to adapt. They also need to empathize with both the patient and their caregiver, adjusting their support as situations change. This ability to adapt and empathize highlights how vital volunteers are in hospice care. They face different challenges and emotions daily, requiring them to be emotionally intelligent and resilient. By meeting these varying needs, volunteers help ensure patients feel comfortable and respected during their final days.

In summary, hospice volunteers are incredibly important. They improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients and help professional staff by taking on non-medical tasks. Their compassionate presence and adaptability show the community’s commitment to caring for its members. Volunteers provide a crucial bridge between clinical care and personal connection, making sure patients receive comprehensive support for both their physical and emotional needs. Through their dedication and empathy, volunteers significantly impact the lives of patients and their families.

Dennis Boakye ’26 is a rising junior with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Mathematics. He is also a co-president of the Neurolawrence Club and the Synthetic Biology Club and the treasurer for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA, Lawrence Chapter) and the Black Student Union (BSU). Dennis is the current career peer educator for the Health and Medicinal Professions (HMP) and the Physical and Natural Sciences (PHN) career communities at Lawrence University. Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn.

THE HOPES AND JOYS OF HOSPICE: CHAPTER 1 – THE APPLICATION PROCESS

What comes into your mind when you hear hospice? Do you get scared, sad, anxious, happy, optimistic, or worried? Try to imagine how a volunteer talks to a patient, creates bonds, and shares memories in a day, only to find out the next day that their lovely friend is no longer in this world. As sad as it might sound, it is also fulfilling to know that the friend is now relieved of their immeasurable pain. Volunteers at hospice centers go through this cycle over and over again rejecting their own self-worth and accepting that of the patient. What, therefore, is the essence of being a hospice volunteer?

However, the true essence of being a hospice volunteer goes beyond the simple application process. It requires immense compassion, empathy, and a willingness to confront the fragility of life. It is a journey of self-discovery, where volunteers learn to cherish every moment and provide comfort to those in their final days, finding fulfillment in the profound impact they have on the lives of others.

Becoming a volunteer typically involves straightforward steps. The first step will be to research hospitals or clinics with hospice facilities where you can volunteer. Some hospice facilities have different roles or duties for hospice volunteers that may range from spending time with a hospice patient to recording the testimonials or life stories of patients. You may also be assigned to work as a front desk assistant, welcoming and guiding families and patients.

After conducting thorough research on the facility and the hospital or clinic, the next step is to understand the requirements and application process. As mentioned earlier, most volunteer applications are not as complicated as those for scholarships or internships. There are two options available to apply: speaking directly with a representative from the institution or completing an application online or in a soft copy format. It is more advised to reach out to someone in the institution, to get a sense of the people and the environment.

The subsequent actions are contingent upon the previously mentioned steps. A scenario for each choice will be more valuable than relying on assumptions. The first scenario is dependent on the option of reaching out to a representative. After reaching out to a representative, and asking for more information and clarification, you will be informed to complete an online application if applicable. In the second scenario, a representative is reached out to after completing the online application if also applicable. Review of your application should take less than a week for which a representative will reach out.

As most hospice centers need volunteers to aid patients’ well-being as well as contribute to the well-being of the center, applicants are more likely to be accepted than rejected. This was proven in a study by Vanderstichelen et al, where they surveyed 342 healthcare organizations in Belgium using a self-developed questionnaire. Their results showed that 80% of the organizations (only 254 responded) have volunteers who provide direct patient care. Some of the tasks of volunteers in healthcare organizations ranged from psychological to existential care tasks. They concluded that most organizations, like hospitals and clinics, emphasize the necessity of volunteer support and training, and organizational coordination of recruitment efforts (Vanderstichelen, S., Houttekier, D., Cohen, J., Wesemael, Y. V., Deliens, L., & Chambaere, K. (2018). Palliative care volunteerism across the healthcare system: A survey study. Palliative Medicine, 32(7), 1233-1245).

The next and final steps depend solely on the institution. A training session could be organized or not depending on the plan of the institution. Once all the requirements and documentation are completed and all the needed materials, along with supplementary ones have been received, determining your volunteer hours will be next. This step is optional and can be skipped if the service hours are known or determined already. One thing to consider is the location of the facility or institution and the means of getting there. Calculating the time spent on the road and in the vicinity is important when choosing a mode of transportation.

Career Spotlight: Genetic Counselor

One of the wonderful things about the world of the health care and medical professions is the variety and quantity of subfields. One great option that straddles the fields of genetics, medicine, and counseling is genetic counseling. With flexible job duties, opportunities for specialization, and direct patient interaction, genetic counselors bridge the gap between specialized knowledge and patient communication. Does this sound like it might be a good fit? Read on to learn about careers in genetic counseling.

What do genetic counselors do?

Genetic counselors meet with patients who are considering genetic testing. Genetic counselors help patients to determine the best course of action, based on factors such as the patient’s risk for certain diseases and their family health history. Genetic counselors can meet with patients before and after genetic testing, and part of their work may include helping individuals and families to process the medical, psychological, and familial consequences of their test results. Additionally, genetic counselors may conduct research, teach, work in marketing, or perform other non-clinical work. Genetic counselors often specialize in areas including prenatal, pediatric, oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, and psychiatry.

Where do they work?

Genetic counselors can work in several settings, including hospitals, medical centers, private clinics, laboratories, universities, and non-profits. Genetic counseling work is also conducive to telehealth, which means that genetic counselors can sometimes work virtually.

Who do they work with?

In addition to meeting with patients, genetic counselors work closely with doctors and other medical staff. Obstetricians, oncologists, and medical geneticists, as well as primary care doctors and other specialists, may refer patients to a genetic counselor. They also may work closely with the families of patients.

What is the job outlook for this profession?

Genetic counselors make around $84,886 per year (the median salary calculated by an NSGC survey). Employment is projected to grow faster than average in the coming years.

How do I become a genetic counselor?

Genetic counselors receive advanced training in both medical genetics and counseling, in order to fill both genetic expert and counseling roles. Education typically involves a two-year master’s program in genetic counseling, following an undergraduate degree. After earning a master’s degree, prospective GCs take a certification exam, and thus become certified genetic counselors.

In the Know: Professional organizations and resources

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) is a primary resource for all things genetic counseling related. They have information on education, jobs, and policy relating to genetic counseling.

The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) is also a great resource to know about. As the accreditation board for graduate programs in genetic counseling, it has a directory of accredited master’s programs.

Lawrence Connections: Alumni in the genetic counseling field

Lawrence has several alumni with professional experience as genetic counselors! There is no better way to learn about the field than from professionals themselves, so check out these profiles on Viking Connect, Lawrence’s alumni platform. Feel free to reach out to any or all of these alumni!

Wherever your career explorations lead you, thanks for taking a minute to learn about this valuable field!

Shadowing in the Pandemic? A Guide to Connecting with Health Care Professionals during COVID

Shadowing is an excellent way to explore careers in health care and medicine. The process of shadowing involves observing a professional in their daily work environment to experience the real-life routines and challenges of your field of interest. Unfortunately, many students continue to face shadowing access challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. However, if you are in this situation, there are still options for you to connect with professionals in the field! You do not need to miss out on the insights and benefits that shadowing can offer. If you want ideas for pandemic-era shadowing and connecting with health care professionals, this resource is for you!

Is shadowing possible during COVID?

Yes, and no. Many (but not all) health care shadowing programs have suspended their in-person programs during COVID. For example, ThedaCare (a large healthcare system in Fox Cities) is currently limiting college student shadowing experiences to students who are required to shadow as part of their formal college curriculum, such as nursing school students. However, shadowing policies may vary at this point in time, especially at private or independent practice clinics. For example, there are private/independent veterinary clinics, dental clinics, physical therapy clinics, and other healthcare clinics in the area that are currently allowing shadowing for interested college students who reach out.

What alternatives are there? Informational Interviewing

If you are having difficulty identifying shadowing opportunities, consider setting up some informational interviews. “Informational interview” is a fancy term for a simple concept: talking to people about what they do. If you have ever had a conversation with a family member or professor about their career, you have already essentially conducted an informational interview. Here are a few steps to get started with informational interviewing:

1) Identify people you would like to meet with. You can search in Viking Connect, Lawrence’s alumni platform, to find Lawrence alumni who are working in your field of interest. Click “Explore the Community,” and then search by industry, keywords, etc. You can also reach out to Lawrence professors, friends or family members in the field, or other individuals in your field of interest.

2) Contact the person to ask to meet. Send a brief email or message in which you say a bit about yourself, your career interests, and how you found the person you are contacting. Mention that you are interested in hearing about their field and/or their career path, and ask if they would be willing to meet for a short time (30 minutes) via Zoom, phone, in person, etc.

3) Prepare and conduct the interview. The interview itself usually lasts around 30 minutes, and is led by you, the student interviewer. Prepare a list of questions ahead of time, based on what you are most interested in gaining from the experience. Do you want to learn about what their typical day looks like, or what experiences were most valuable for them when they were a student?

4) Always send a thank-you note. Make sure to thank them for their time, and feel free to stay in touch.

Also be aware that many health care professionals are working long and intense hours right now, and be respectful of the fact that some might not have the time to speak with students.

What alternatives are there? Virtual Shadowing

There are also quite a few opportunities for virtual shadowing experiences, and these are becoming increasingly more widespread due to the pandemic. Virtual shadowing experiences are usually quite different from in-person ones, and sometimes consist of pre-recorded videos as well as synchronous sessions. Make sure to check with each program to see if you can list it as official shadowing experience – this varies by program.

While the virtual aspect can certainly take away from the direct nature of the experience, shadowing during COVID can offer some unique insight as well. Rarely before has it been possible to observe health care professionals at such an important time in the field, when their service to our communities is especially crucial. This can set the stage for meaningful conversations with health care professionals, if you have the opportunity to speak with them.

Here is a sampling of virtual shadowing programs:

HEAL Clinical Shadowing (physician)

Webshadowers (physician)

Medschool Coach Beyond Shadowing (physician)

Teleshadowing (physician)

Virtual Shadowing (mostly physician, some PA)

Medical School Headquarters e-Shadowing (physician, PA)

Pre-Health Shadowing (Medical, Nursing, Dental, Pharmaceutical, PA, PT)

University of Colorado Virtual Shadowing (physician, nursing, PA)

Physician Assistant Shadow Online (PASO) (PA)

Ampers&PA Virtual Shadowing (PA)

Empowered PAs (PA)