ED/Preceptorship Reflection

While at my ED/Preceptorship I am able to meet patients from different socioeconomic backgrounds and who’s health are directly affected by it. The experience of being able to meet patients from different cultures, with different levels of education, different economic situations, and other determinants of health allow me to firsthand experience what we have learn through the curriculum. I believe it is truly important to be able to asses all of the social determinants of health affecting each of our patients in order to truly make a lasting positive effect in their care. The patient contact has also allowed me to experience and reflect on my own emotions as they relate to particular patients and how I identify my own experiences with their situation. Particularly, there was a patient at the ER who’s story truly resonated with me. All the conversation with this elderly Cuban patient, who could have easily been my grandpa, took place in Spanish, which gave it a
First of all, he lives alone and his support system consists of his girlfriend and his sons who he sees occasionally, however, not often enough as to make sure he is taking his medications. Secondly, there is a lack of knowledge and a wrong believe as to the importance and impact that not being compliant with his medication has on his health. Also there is the cultural aspect that even though he might be able to make changes to have a diet that helps him control his blood glucose, the food that he feels comfortable and is used to eating is Cuban food. The fact that he leaves alone and the lack of parks in his community also plays a role in his ability to stay active. Even though this patient has gone through this before and he understood there was connection between what was happening to his feet and his chronic conditions, he lacked the understanding and information of how he could do anything about