Service Learning Reflection

Service Learning is a social commitment to service those in the community that are of the vulnerable, underserved, and diverse population groups.  In my previous service learning experience I chose to commit my service learning time to the underserved children of the Head Start population.  While I am still providing health screenings to children, this time it is a different age group.  This semester the sports physical population ranged from ages 8-18, and the Senior Center population ranged from age 50 and over.   Providing health promotion and prevention screenings is one of my favorite activities to do in the community as it gives those receiving the services an opportunity to ask questions and get information they need.  I am very grateful to work for an FQHC that believes in a mission of serving the underserved and underinsured.  For many of the pediatric population, the sports physical is the only time they ever see a health care provider in a year.  This is a time for them, and their parents, to ask any and all questions that they want answers to.  I do take my time with each person that I encounter in each setting.  I do my best to be mindful of the situation and ask if they have any questions or concerns.  I want the patient to feel as comfortable as possible.  I also find that during these screenings, whether it is for an adolescent or with the geriatric population, it is perfect opportunity for health promotion and prevention in the particular age group.  I always bring along brochures and handout.  For example; during the sports physical screenings I have multiple adolescent females want to discuss birth control options.  Of course this isn’t the time to treat for that, but I do have handouts on various types and I teach promotion and prevention.  With the geriatric population I do a lot of teaching on low salt and diabetic diets.  I will have handouts for those who want to read them.

As far as the worst thing that happened during my service learning experience I honestly don’t have an answer for that.  I will say that it may have been more of a worst experience for a couple of the male patients who were having sports physical screenings for the first time.  This can be a very anxiety provoking exam for many young males, especially when it comes to the dreaded hernia exam.  I did have a couple of younger males get very anxious, but just explaining why a hernia exam is done, and making them feel as comfortable as I could did relieve their anxiety.  The best part was hearing “That wasn’t that bad” after the hernia exam was completed.  Just knowing that I did relieve their anxiety and they felt more comfortable with the entire exam process is a win for me.  Another best experience is when the parent thanks me for providing the exam at no cost, otherwise this would have been a financial burden on the family.  That makes outreach services worth the entire effort. 

 

Health Care Advocate

As an individual provider I will continue to participate in offering outreach services to my community.  I believe in the mission, values and goals of this organization and want to assist in all ways to continue to promote health care for all in the community.  I will continue to be a voice for those in my community, advocating for needs of the population.  Collaboration is the key to sustainability and success of this organization in its’ ability to continue to offer these free services.