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As a teenager, I will always remember watching episodes of Grey’s Anatomy – one of my first windows into the healthcare industry. To me, the popular television show was an exciting emotional roller coaster. Although the ride was thrilling, through my academic, work, and shadow experiences at Athletico Physical Therapy, Christ Advocate Hospital, North Shore Pediatric Center, skilled nursing homes, and many other locations, I have discovered that television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy display only a very small and sensationalized facet of healthcare. There is a large emphasis on doctors and nurses within the fictional world of television but in reality, healthcare is a multi-disciplinary team. Occupational therapy is one of those overlooked roles. Occupational therapists provide holistic treatment that enhances physical and psychological health, prevents illness, facilitates independent living to improve wellness and quality of life, and promotes reintegration into the home, especially after trauma or tragedy.
Occupational therapy made a profound impact on my father’s and grandmother’s life – two very significant experiences through which I discovered a passion for this profession. My grandmother’s past reflects my father’s present and future. She was a strong self-reliant woman prior to suffering chronic pain from arthritis and experiencing multiple falls. Her Chinese cultural upbringing nurtured her to be independent and prideful. As a result, she refused to follow therapeutic treatment. She faced negative consequences such as a lack of mobility, an increase in chronic pain, and a decrease in her overall quality of life. When explaining to my grandmother the importance of occupational therapy, I learned that the key to her receptiveness and overall compliance depended on my assistance to help bridge cultural and communication barriers between her and the therapist. Assisting and guiding my grandmother during her therapy treatments and at home allowed me to fully comprehend the importance and benefits of occupational therapy. Specifically, through engagement and adaption of work, self-care, and playful activities, my grandmother was able to increase her quality of life, which brought motivation, function, and independence.
My grandmother has inspired me to pursue my ambition to open an outpatient rehabilitation clinic that serves the Asian and Chinese communities. The clinic will specifically aim to reduce cultural and communication barriers that prevent patients in this population from receiving the excellent care that they deserve. Within one clinic patients will find professionals who can communicate and help navigate their healthcare journey, receive care from clinicians who understand both medical and cultural perspectives, obtain proper patient education, and receive optimal patient care.
During my inpatient and outpatient work experience, I observed the progression of patients’ health from admittance to discharge. I assisted patients for several weeks and witnessed their positive progression from a bedridden state to standing with assistance to walking around the unit independently. It was a supremely rewarding experience to join patients on their journey toward independence. While some patients are cooperative, easy, and enjoyable, others are difficult, resistant, or even angry. Within an acute setting like Christ Advocate Hospital’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, there are a variety of diagnoses and different levels of complexity. Not only do these illnesses cause physical issues but also psychological, cognitive, and emotional difficulties. With a degree in psychology, I had a keen interest in understanding the potential sources of patients’ interpersonal conflicts and how interpersonal awareness and social communication can help solve or ease such hardship. From my observations, I have learned that those who receive health care services often feel anxious about their health, the procedures they may undergo, and their future. Because of this, some respond with resistance or aggression. In order to overcome this hurdle with patients, I found communication to be an essential tool to help reduce their anxiety, build their confidence and help provide effective patient care.
Communication is a crucial component in all steps of the healthcare process. Working within inpatient and outpatient settings, I have come across clients from all walks of life. During my observation experience at North Shore Pediatric Center, a young child diagnosed with Down Syndrome showed signs of tantrum behaviors, such as aggression and resistance. With permission from my supervisor, I was able to assist in interacting with the child to calm their emotional behavioral response and guide the child in completing the therapy treatment. My encounters with resistant patients have taught me that strong interpersonal communication skills and displaying a warm, empathetic and genuine nature can build patient rapport and create a meaningful and trusting bond. A partnership where the patient understands and trusts the therapist can pave the path to better patient care and outcomes. Knowing this inspires me to make a positive difference in a person’s life by compassionately caring for my patient, listening to them and showing they are valued, understanding their needs and what is meaningful to them, and encouraging them to engage fully in their program of occupational therapy. Although patients encounter many obstacles during recovery and rehabilitation, they can have confidence in knowing they will always have someone “in their corner” supporting them.
Dramas like Grey’s Anatomy showcase in the limelight the role medical doctors and nurses play in saving lives at crucial moments. They rarely feature the work or define the purpose and importance of occupational therapy. I firmly believe that the biggest changes begin with small steps. One of my immediate goals is to be more assertive and proactive in educating others about the purpose of OT and advocating for the field. Having the opportunity to join The American Occupational Therapy Association and The Assembly of Student Delegates will allow me to elevate others through leadership, enhance political awareness, and provide a greater contribution to the profession. In doing so, these small steps will cause a ripple effect that will strengthen advocacy for the field. Occupational therapists help patients take responsibility for their well-being and recovery, and guide them through the lengthy hardship of rehabilitation toward a higher quality of life that is meaningful to them. It is an essential behind-the-scenes component of a patient’s recovery. They are the problem-solvers that help the main character of the show continue to perform to their best ability. Occupational therapists are the unsung heroes of healthcare that guide patients from their darkest most vulnerable moments into the light. I stand firm in my decision in pursuing this career in occupational therapy.
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