Learning From Experiences in My Practicum

 

Learning From Experiences in My Practicum

During my practicum experience, I focused on achieving specific goals and objectives outlined in my Practicum Experience Plan. These included enhancing my clinical skills, improving patient communication, and gaining a deeper understanding of the healthcare system. I am pleased to report that I achieved these goals to varying degrees; however, there are areas where I can still grow.

Achievement of Goals and Objectives

1. Enhancing Clinical Skills: I successfully improved my clinical skills, particularly in patient assessments and documentation. I became proficient in conducting vital signs checks, performing basic physical examinations, and effectively using electronic health records (EHR) for documentation.

2. Improving Patient Communication: I made significant strides in communicating with patients, especially in establishing rapport and ensuring they felt heard during consultations. However, there were instances where I struggled with delivering complex medical information clearly.

3. Understanding the Healthcare System: My understanding of the healthcare system deepened through interactions with various healthcare professionals and exposure to different departments. Yet, I still feel I need more insight into the administrative side of healthcare.

Challenging Patient Encounters

I encountered three particularly challenging patients during my practicum:

1. Patient with Severe Anxiety: This patient’s anxiety often manifested physically, making it difficult for them to communicate effectively. The challenge lay in calming their nerves while gathering necessary information for assessment. It taught me the importance of patience and active listening.

2. Non-compliant Diabetic Patient: This patient was resistant to lifestyle changes, which made managing their condition difficult. The challenge was convincing them to take their health seriously without sounding judgmental. From this experience, I learned the significance of motivational interviewing techniques.

3. Cognitively Impaired Elderly Patient: Communicating with this patient required extra time and creativity due to their cognitive limitations. The challenge was finding effective ways to engage them in their care plan. This experience reinforced the value of empathy and tailored communication strategies.

Lessons Learned and Resources

From these challenges, I learned the importance of adaptability and personalized care approaches. The available resources included access to clinical guidelines, mentorship from my preceptor, and peer support from fellow students, all of which contributed significantly to my learning process.

I employed evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing for the non-compliant diabetic patient and trauma-informed care principles for the patient with anxiety. These approaches not only helped address immediate concerns but also fostered a supportive environment for their ongoing care.

Skill Development and Patient Management

Throughout my practicum, I developed new skills in patient education and care coordination. If given another opportunity, I would focus more on time management to ensure that I could provide adequate attention to each patient without feeling rushed.

To manage patient flow and volume, I prioritized tasks based on severity and ensured clear communication with colleagues about patient needs. This approach helped maintain efficiency while providing quality care.

Communication and Feedback

To improve my skills further, I plan to engage in regular feedback sessions with my preceptor. I’ll communicate my self-assessment by asking questions like, “How am I doing?” and “What is missing?” This open line of communication will allow me to identify specific areas for improvement and ensure my learning objectives align with my preceptor’s expectations.

In summary, my practicum experience has been invaluable in shaping my clinical competencies and understanding of patient care dynamics. While I achieved several goals, there remain opportunities for growth that I intend to pursue actively.