Reflection on Clinical Experiences

Reflection on Clinical Experiences

In this term, most clinical practices I participated in were based on adult and geriatric patients that provide a wide range of healthcare settings. During the course, I was able to take SOAP notes on different cases such as Endocrine (non-diabetic), Endocrine with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular, Dermatological, Genito-Urinary, and Pulmonary disorders. Enduring every patient encounter certainly has its rewards, some of which I found particularly memorable. Subsequently, to avoid violating the patient’s right to privacy, I will refer to the encounter without mentioning the patient’s identity.

Memorable Patient Encounter

As a nurse practitioner student, I distinctly remember the case of a 28-year-old Asian male, Y.H.W., who came in with severe itching and painful rashes accompanied by blisters spreading across his face and neck. This case left a significant impression on me due to the complexity of the symptoms and their profound impact on the patient’s daily life. Y.H.W., accompanied by his sister, sought medical help after a week of worsening symptoms that began on his eyelids and quickly spread to other parts. Despite using over-the-counter remedies, his condition deteriorated, severely affecting his sleep and overall well-being. Managing this rapidly worsening condition underscored the essential role of healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating complex medical issues

Areas for Improvement

Communication Skills

Reflecting on this experience, I have identified several areas for improvement in my practice. To begin with, it is essential to improve communication skills to explain the diagnosis, treatments, and the need to adhere to appointment schedules to patients. Effective communication enhances patient trust and ensures that the patient is involved in decision-making. The research by Bouton et al. (2023) shows that patient satisfaction and favourable health outcomes are associated with interprofessional communication between caregivers and patients. Hence, developing this skill helps build a therapeutic relationship with the patients and helps them gain requisite knowledge on their health status.

Interprofessional Collaboration

Another area that needs development is working together between professionals from different fields. Taking time to consult with specialists, including dermatologists, can be beneficial for the patient. Further, interpersonal relationships with other members of the healthcare profession provide holistic and integrated care for those with multi-morbidities. Working with other professionals is even beneficial since different approaches to the problem may help reach a better diagnosis and correctly develop a further action plan. According to Alderwick et al. (2021), collaboration between professionals working in facilities yields positive health experiences in patients and client satisfaction. Through such relations, I will be able to ensure that my patients get the best standards of health care.

Knowledge of Dermatological Conditions

Additionally, I acknowledge the importance of enhancing my knowledge of dermatological conditions and their management to adequately handle patients with similar health conditions in the future. This case demonstrated the value of keeping updated on the latest dermatological procedures and technology used in the field. As highlighted by Li et al. (2022), one of the tenets for practising healthcare professionals is the provision of continuing education and acquiring knowledge of newer treatment interventions. I can further my knowledge in this area, which can positively impact my diagnostic and treatment skills for the patient’s benefit.

Patient-Centered Care

Lastly, adopting a patient-centred approach that considers individual preferences, values, and goals is crucial for promoting better health outcomes and patient satisfaction. This approach involves actively listening to patients, understanding their unique needs, and involving them in decision-making. According to Engle et al. (2021), patient-centered care leads to improved health outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. By prioritizing this approach, I can ensure that my patients feel valued and respected, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

Conclusion

Thus, this particular patient encounter has been highly informative and useful in revealing the major principles of interprofessional communication and patient management within healthcare. In this event, I would improve my understanding and practice in nursing and apply the knowledge in the future to support other nurses. I have learned that I need to keep myself acquainted with modern developments in medicine, integrate with other medical professionals, and adhere to client-oriented approaches. As I progress in my career as a nurse practitioner, I will apply these lessons to enhance the care of the patients and deliver the best possible results.

References

Alderwick, H., Hutchings, A., Briggs, A., & Mays, N. (2021). The Impacts of Collaboration between Local Health Care and non-health Care Organizations and Factors Shaping How They work: a Systematic Review of Reviews. BMC Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10630-1

Bouton, C., Journeaux, M., Jourdain, M., Angibaud, M., Huon, J., & Rat, C. (2023). Interprofessional collaboration in primary care: what effect on patient health? A systematic literature review. BMC Primary Care, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02189-0

Engle, R. L., Mohr, D. C., Holmes, S. K., Seibert, M. N., Afable, M., Leyson, J., & Meterko, M. (2021). Evidence-based practice and patient-centred care: Doing both well. Health Care Management Review, 46(3), 174–184. https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.0000000000000254

Li, Z., Koban, K. C., Schenck, T. L., Giunta, R. E., Li, Q., & Sun, Y. (2022). Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology Image Analysis: Current Developments and Future Trends. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(22), 6826. https://doi.org/10.3390/

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Consider: Which categories (body systems) and which ages should you prioritize for program completion? Which areas have you finished? Of the minimum required pediatric categories (infant, child, teen), and maternal health, how many more do you still need to capture in your total clinical requirements (list each category)?

Reflection on Clinical Experiences

Summarize a reflection that includes a de-identified description of a patient encounter you found memorable for this course.

What made it memorable and what might you do differently if you were to see that patient again?