Interview with a Health Professional - Essay Example

? Interview with a Health Professional HLTH 1305 Total Word Count: 2,005 The paper aims to summarize, reflect and evaluate on the findings of an interview with a health professional and to thereby link specifically identified issues to related relevant literatures on the subject. To achieve the objective, the health professional interviewed is Peter Broadbent, a 30 year old paramedic based in Beverley Uranium Mine. The discourse would therefore summarize details from the interview; provide a reflection based on three issues: the concept of enjoyment in one’s profession, the frustrating instances, and the significant factors that impact his profession. A comparative analysis from interview findings with literature would be proffered, prior to a personal reflection on the new information as influencing one’s plan to be a future health professional. A concluding portion would integrate, summarize and highlight the relevant findings and issues that were evaluated and discussed. Interview with a Health Professional Introduction There are increasing numbers of people who pursue careers in the health care industry. The reasons for delving into this challenging, yet rewarding array of health professions are diverse – which could be distinctly unique for some or universal as encompassing themes of care for others. The paramedic, in particular, is a dynamic and evolving career that interests people with genuine desire to provide immediate response to health dilemmas. The Australasian Council of Paramedic (ACP) (2008, p. 1) defines a paramedic as “a specialist health care professional who responds to requests for assistance and attends people suffering acute health crises of any nature”. Their roles and responsibilities encompass providing assessment, diagnoses and treatment to patients in health crises outside of the hospital setting. The paper hereby aims to initially conduct an interview with a health professional: a paramedic, specifically for this purpose; to summarize, reflect and evaluate on the findings and eventually to link specifically identified issues to related relevant literatures on the subject. To achieve the objective, the health professional interviewed is Peter Broadbent, a 30 year old paramedic based in Beverley Uranium Mine. The discourse would therefore summarize details from the interview and to provide a reflection with link to health literatures based on three issues: the concept of enjoyment in one’s profession, the frustrating instances, and the significant factors that impact his profession. Findings and Evaluation 1. Profile of the Interviewee With approval sought to cite his name and details provided from the interview in the current paper, Peter Broadbent has indicated that he has been working as a paramedic for four years with main responsibilities revealed by him as: provision of pre-hospital medical care in a remote location, health promotion, and testing employees for alcohol and other drugs, among others. His working hours on a weekly basis total 168 hours, with 84 hours on-duty and 84 hours on-call. Prior to delving into the details of the three specific issues identified that influence and impact his profession, Broadbent averred that from his experience, the two main issues he considered prominently facing and affecting paramedics in their working life are fatigue and “burn-out”. 2. The Benefit of Enjoyment When asked “what do you enjoy most about your job?”, Broadbent’s reply was: (1) diagnosis and treatment of various illnesses; (2) interaction with patients and other members of the workplace population; and (3) the magnificent scenery in the Australian outback. Further, he clearly emphasized that having genuine enthusiasm for one’s career choice is the secret to satisfaction and enjoyment. The ability to provide enjoyment, satisfaction or pleasure in one’s job is linked to the theory of motivation in the work place, specifically Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where people have varieties of needs that manifest themselves in many forms. Once lower level needs are satisfied, they cease to act as motivator and turn to activate higher order needs until they are gratified (Maslow, 1954). In Broadbent’s response, it is eminent that his self-actualization and fulfilment needs are operative and are gratified by the satisfaction being achieved through according appropriate intervention, treatment, interaction with others, and through viewing magnificent scenery. According to Selby, “by simply following your ideal job or career path, you will minimize stress and increase enjoyment and satisfaction in your work life” (n.d., par. 7). The responsibilities of a paramedic are intricate with deep accountabilities to safeguard the lives of those people in health crises. Aside from the amount of rigorous training with appropriate bachelor’s degree as academic background in related health fields, the work environment are diverse depending on the patients seeking health assistance. As Ozum (2010) emphasized, “the job description of a paramedic requires the person to persevere and overcome many personal feelings and insecurities. By serving the public in the emergency setting, paramedics naturally develop strength in interpersonal communication and skills in leadership and teamwork, delegation, multi-tasking, decision making abilities, creative problem solving and honest self evaluation. Character development opportunities also arise in this setting and there are ample opportunities to strengthen integrity, practice patience and empathy and gain self confidence” (par. 9). As shown, the opportunities to enhance and develop skills in assessing patients, correctly diagnosing the illness and providing treatment contributes to the feeling of accomplishment, enjoyment, and satisfaction. The validation noted in Acupuncture (n.d.) indicating that “when someone's whole energy recovers they report feeling better in themselves - with improved energy, vitality, enjoyment of life and sense of well-being. Whenever this happens it can be very exciting and relevant for all concerned” (p.1) supports the issue that a paramedic’s job, though challenging, provides enjoyment as improvement in health status is accorded to those in need. Further, despite being brought to diverse and remote places to address emergency situations, the chance to view the magnificent scenery can be considered uplifting one’s spirits at it provides pleasure and enjoyment to spectators, especially after a strenuous work. 3. Frustrating Aspects As there are eminent factors that provide enjoyment to a paramedic’s work, there are also incidents that make the job frustrating. When asked about this, Broadbent replied: (1) the refusal of some patients to look after their own health (e.g. smoking, alcohol abuse, poorly controlled diabetes); and (2) organisational demotivating factors (indecision, uncertainity, parsimony). For this reply, the literature that is applicable still relates to motivation, particularly those identified by Herzberg’s motivation – hygiene theory which suggests that factors involved in producing job satisfaction are separate and distinct from those that lead to job dissatisfaction (Herzberg, 1966), As clearly indicated, Broadbent identified demotivating factors such as indecision, uncertainty and parsimony, as hygiene factors that cases job dissatisfaction and frustration. Through management’s inability to make appropriate decisions, when immediately needed; and due to excessive frugality, employees like him are frustrated, limiting his potential to achieve more. On the other hand, external factors, where he cannot control, such as patients’ inability to adhere to the appropriate standards of health care, also contribute to his frustrations and job dissatisfaction. 4. Factors that Impact on Job When asked: “what impacts most upon your job?” Broadbent averred: “remote location and the nature of the work – trauma tends to be either minor or major with no in-between, patients need to wait hours before being transported (aero-medical) to hospital when necessary.” A follow up question was deemed necessary: “do think your job could affect your social life positively or negatively? How?” In which, Broadbent replied: “Both. Positive: I enjoy the work and am very well-trained and equipped. I also have access to advice from the company doctor if required. Negative: my shift roster takes me away from home, family and friends for a week every fortnight.” From the responses, the factors that were identified to provide a significant impact on his responsibilities as a paramedic are the remote location and the nature of his work; both regarded as crucial in influencing the outcome of the emergency assistance. According to Environmental Emergencies Paramedic (n.d.) factors such as the remote location, in addition to environmental external factors such as climate, season, weather, atmospheric pressure, and terrain (pp. 16 & 18) affect the kind of intervention and treatment that needs to be accorded by paramedics to patients in emergency situations. In these situations, the competencies and experience that paramedics possess puts the patients in stable conditions as long as needed prior to being air-lifted through aero-medical transport facilities. Likewise, the element of working more in terms of hours and in far locations on schedules contribute to taking Broadbent away from his family for a week every fortnight and therefore his absence needs to be addressed in terms of providing the needed support of his family while he is on work. Personal Reflection The three relevant issues that emerged from the interview conducted with Broadbent, a paramedic of four years, have proffered significant factors that prove to be: (1) motivating (and thereby job satisfying and enjoyable); (2) frustrating (or demotivating) and (3) influencing or impacting that significantly affects his responsibilities as a paramedic. Through the theories of motivation, these factors were evaluated according to the needs, drives and values of Broadbent making him classify some factors are either contributory to enjoyment or job satisfaction; or frustrating and demotivating leading to job dissatisfaction. In this regard, as someone with plans to pursue a health profession, the interview enhanced my awareness on those areas where I could control. For example, for a health professional endeavour, I am made to recognize the importance of being genuinely interested in his field prior to delving into it. The challenges, responsibilities, and accountabilities are demanding and exhausting than traditional office jobs on a regular 8 am to 5pm schedule. Without sincere determination and enthusiasm, I would definitely be stressed out and possibly feel that “burn-out” situation earlier than expected. To deal with these, as supported from diverse literatures, I must really like being in this health profession and I could emphasize the diverse opportunities in terms of honing my knowledge, abilities and skills in the delivery of health care. On the other hand, to address the factors that frustrates and demotivates paramedics, like Broadbent, problems with company policies could be forwarded to my direct supervisor, who could forward my concern to top management, as needed. For patients who refuse to adhere to the correct standards in health care, as a future health care practitioner, I have the obligation to remain committed to educating, promoting health, giving advice, reinforcing teachings on levels of health care as long and as frequently and regularly as necessary. I should always be patient, determined, responsibly committed to the high quality of health care service and adhere to the codes of conduct expected of health care professionals. I should maintain a proactive stance in promoting good health through providing exemplary example as a model of good health. With the factors that were exposed to significantly affect the health profession, I could envision to change those I am in control of, under the standards of ethical, moral, and social responsibility. For the factors that I cannot change, such as being in a remote situation, I can still provide the highest quality of health care by focusing on the patients’ needs and ensuring that I give quality service that would ensure, not only customer satisfaction but delight, while waiting for the patient to be transferred to a hospital facility, as needed. Conclusion The responsibilities and duties of health practitioners are emphasized in terms of defining the accountabilities their actions impact on their target market: the patients’ lives. For paramedics, the role as providing the appropriate medical assessment to patients on health crises are equally challenging but more rewarding in terms of being able to directly accord the necessary interventions that would treat and improve the patients’ health status. The satisfaction, enjoyment, and self-fulfillment and actualization provided by these experiences could not be remunerated accordingly. The demotivating factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction and frustration could be addressed through proper organizational channels and strategies. The paper was thereby able to achieve its objective of summarizing the findings from an interview conducted with a health professional, a paramedic, and was able to provide a personal reflection on the findings of the and eventually to link specifically identified issues to related relevant literatures on the subject. The theories of motivation and of external factors impinging environmental emergencies link the findings focusing on enjoyment, frustration and factors that impact his profession. Through highlighting factors that give satisfaction and fulfillment to the practitioner, one’s direction and conviction to remain in the profession is entrenched. Through determining the factors that prove to be demotivating, one is challenged to address them through proper protocols and organizational processes. Finally, through the identification of external factors that significantly affect the profession, one is reminded how truly blessed one is to consider this career as the ultimate calling to sacrifice one’s time, to sacrifice being away from one’s family, to creatively focus on addressing the needs of the patients in remote places, to achieve the goal of providing and delivering high quality health care to those in immediate need. References List Acupuncture in the Park. n.d. What do patients report? [Online]. Available at: http://www.acupunctureinthepark.co.uk/page8.htm [Accessed 30 May 2011]. Australasian Council of Paramedic (ACP). 2008. Definition of a Paramedic, [Online]. Available at: http://councilparamedicine.googlepages.com/PS001_2008_04_08V1_ACP_Definition_Pa.pdf [Accessed 30 May 2011]. Environmental Emergencies Paramedic. n.d., [Online]. Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/23514280/Environmental-Emergencies-Paramedic [Accessed 31 May 2011]. Herzberg, F. 1966. Work and the Nature of Man. World Publishing Co., Ohio. Maslow, A.H. 1954. Motivation and Personality. Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. New York. Ozum, H. 2010. Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic, [Online]. Available at: http://www.suite101.com/content/emergency-medical-technician-paramedic-a287078 [Accessed 30 May 2011]. Selby, G. n.d. Stress In The Workplace – Follow Your Passion To Conquer Stress At Work, [Online]. Available at: http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Stress-In-The-Workplace--Follow-Your-Passion-To-Conquer-Stress-At-Work/31480 [Accessed 30 May 2011]. Read More