Monday, March 22nd: Today, I got my second dose of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine (yay!), so I came in later than usual. All of our patients had already been seen for the day by the time I arrived, so I focused on building our COVID-19 vaccine database by calling our patients aged 64 and older. During these calls, I ask whether the patients have transitioned to a Medicare provider and what sort of coverage they have (since we only serve uninsured patients), and many patients feel lost when transitioning their care. I provided about 10 patients today with GA Care’s information and the phone number to call to set up 1 on 1 free Medicare guidance appointment through them, and I am really looking forward to hearing how it goes! I feel so full hearing the patients express gratitude for me helping them transition their care, and even though it is simple to connect them with a resource, it makes all the difference in the world to them. Today, I learned how important it is to reach outside of your particular set of resources and make use of the millions of other organizations available to us. By taking those extra few minutes to research Medicare, I was able to find professional Medicare counselors that will help our patients every step of the way.
1.6.1 Determine the extent of available health education/promotion programs and interventions
Tuesday, March 23rd: Today, I was feeling a little tired from my COVID-19 vaccine so the other MA helped me triage more than usual. I still triaged 4 patients and did 1 urinalysis, ran 3 FIT tests for the colon cancer awareness raffle, did 1HbA1c, and 1 heath literacy test. The patient that did the health literacy assessment with got more frustrated than usual, so I had to work through how to make them feel comfortable and not leave feeling like they aren’t smart enough. They said it reminded them of failing in school as a kid, and it really gave me a new perspective of what the assessment can do to people who aren’t academically gifted. I reassured them that this was just for us to help them and the score did not matter. Today, I realized how important it is to make sure patients don’t feel inferior when I explain medical advice or health literacy because that can impact their self-esteem more than I ever realized.
2.3.10 Refine strategies/interventions based on pilot feedback
Wednesday, March 24th: Today, we had a light patient schedule. I worked mostly on calling patients for the Medicare transition counseling through GA care. I spent a lot of time scanning documents into patient’s charts for my coworkers, and I was able to finish three large piles for three separate coworkers. They were very appreciative and it gave them time to finish other more important things for our patients like prepping for later in the week and conducting long telephone visits with them. Today, I learned that it’s important to lend a helping hand whenever people ask, and it can still contribute to health promotion even if it seems mundane.
3.2.6 Provide support and technical assistance to those implementing the plan
Thursday, March 25th: Today, I came in for night clinic and we only saw 2 patients. We were able to get them in and out really quick, so I was able to leave early. I spent some extra time stocking the rooms and prepping for the next morning. I learned that when its slow it’s important to put your time towards prepping to make things easier for you and your team in the future.
Friday, March 26th: Today, I had to cover for my coworker and so I triaged all 8 patients that were on schedule that day. There were 6 returned FIT tests that all came back negative, and I sent 4 patients home with more tests to complete them before the end of the month. In the afternoon, I worked with the Dr. to develop a resource on birth control options from local health departments so our patients can receive products like IUDs, arm bands, Nuva ring, and shots. I spent the next 3 hours calling many neighboring county’s health departments and asking what specific brands of birth control options they have, their pricing accommodations for low-income, uninsured patients, and if there was a current waiting list. Although a few of the health departments were busy or closed, I got a bunch of reliable data for the spreadsheet and I can’t wait to finalize the resource next week. I learned it can be so helpful to connect with other organizations to work towards the same goal, and by taking the extra time to call and ask I was able to open a world of opportunities for our female patients.
5.3.3 Create agreements (for example, memoranda of understanding) with partners and other stakeholders
5.5.1 Facilitate efforts to achieve organizational mission
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