Most of my interactions in the clinic are with health professionals and patients. I see a variety of children as they go through their treatments. Although I've been exposed to sickness and know people who were extremely ill, being a part of the care system that treats them is completely different.
Health care professionals work in fields where the technology, treatments and patients are constantly change. I was very surprised by how much the Surgery Lounges at Fairview had changed in the year I've volunteered there. When I started, Anne was the full time employee who ran the Family Surgery Lounge, and Lynn the nurse in charge of the Same Day Lounge. Since then, Anne's moved on to PA school and Lynn to another hospital. To replace them three other employees have been hired. The computer system has been updated to improve the flow of communication between the OR, and the Same Day Surgery Lounge had undergone complete renovation. Although these are more "surface" changes than changes in the way which healthcare is practiced, they helped me realize how the field of health care is constantly in flux.
At Amplatz, as a Clinic Volunteer I learned about the diversity of the Health Care field. Although the Clinic I work with primarily treats children who need to undergo blood and marrow transplants, the diversity of the cases is enormous. Being able to volunteer with these children has helped me realize the importance of being able to face challenges and solve problems, as no two patients have the same case. Additionally, working with nurses, reception staff and family and child life representatives has truly brought home the importance of the health care team. The physicians are vital in a patient's treatment, but the other health providers are just as important.
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