Learning Experience 1
One learning experience that falls under program outcome four was about the importance of interprofessional teamwork. In fact until I took HS 460C, it had never occurred to me that interprofessional and multidisciplinary were not the same thing. I had no idea of the dynamics involved in managing an interdisciplinary team. From making decisions, to creating a safe environment that allows everyone a voice and managing conflict.
During my course I could observe an interprofessional healthcare team communicate, plan and ultimately benefit the patients they treat. This amazing experience also allowed me to learn why teams like this are so successful in healthcare. Following this portion of my observation I took it upon myself to write a little blog on the differences of healthcare teams to help inform the families of children with special needs.
The paper I have chosen to use that articulates and sums up what I learned during the project is titled HS 460C My Observation of Interprofessional Teamwork. This is a short summation. I have learned that trust is vital to creating a truly interprofessional team in health care. Trust is what allows the team to reach beyond the disciplinary divide and work as one unit for the greater good of the patient. I also learned that communication is important for all members of the healthcare team. This clinic found several ways for its therapist to communicate and since doing this report the leadership of the clinic designated one meeting a month just to collaboration to allow for more interaction between disciplines based on my feedback. Last, I have learned that commonality between team members in relation to purpose is important for goal attainment.
Learning Experience 2
My second learning experience that falls under outcome program number 4 is the importance of leadership in a healthcare team. I have had experience in leadership in my past having spent over 12 years in the military but the type of leadership and the skills needed to be successful in healthcare are very different. This was never clearer to me than during my time in HS 460C where I learned so much about leadership. During my time in this course I learned about types of leaders, leadership behaviors,personality, and trait theories. I found myself reading and rereading the chapters not because I had to, but because I really liked the textbook and all the information it gave. In some ways, I wish I had taken this class earlier because it was so insightful.
The paper I picked to articulate what I learned for this project is titled Observation Learning in Leadership. It was a great learning moment for me to follow two leaders in the healthcare field who care so much about what they do and how they treat their employees. I was able to interview them and then followed them around at their work and see how they apply their own style of leadership.
Learning Experience 3
The third significant learning experience came from reading and applying what I learned about soft skills from our textbook in HS 460C. I found that I was using many of these skills already, and that was pleasing, but I also learned that I still have much to learn. The part of the book that was significant for me was the chapter on handling your critics. I say this because I have always been too reactive to others when it comes to criticism justified or not. During this course, we were asked to get
feedback from our leadership and how we could contribute more to the team. Admittedly, I was one of those people who felt that no news was good news and that if management saw a problem they would say it. The feedback I received from the leadership was good but all three replies had the same or similar statement about being less critical of myself and not doubting my clinical decisions.These responses cause me to reevaluate myself and how I am being seen by others I work with.
I say this is a significant learning experience because without this class or that book I would never have asked those questions. I would not have changed my behavior and experienced the results of that decision. I have opened a line of communication that has benefited me personally and professionally with my leadership. I feel that I have grown as a result of that, and the feedback I get from my supervisors and patients now have been a great boost to my morale.
Joshua Macey 