Theraphy Touch :: October 2004

As this is an assignmnet, there has been some referencing done on the story.

Introduction

This story tells of how Jasen, a new graduate of NYP began his work with Garden General Hospital. It was also the institution where he did his clinical posting during his 3 years in the school of Health Sciences. He applies what he has learnt during his school years to touch lives of the patients in need. And this has won him the institution’s most outstanding employee of the year award, for being one of the best care givers chosen from a pool of outstanding staffs in the institution. This is the story of how one of the patient was so touched by his care and concern.

Body

One morning as I walked into the ward, I noticed my client crying. I approached him and ask “Why are you crying, Mr Ong?” “I got no money to pay for my hospital bills. It is getting higher the more days I were to stay here in the hospital.” he said with tears streaming down his already frail and old cheeks.

I decided to sit by the chair next to him. “According to Benner, the “ability to provide presence, to be with another person in a way that acknowledges one’s shared humanity, is at the care of nursing as a practice” (Potter & Perry, p.107).” “Simons says that “when a nurse establishes presence, eye contact, body language, voice tone, listening, and having a positive and encouraging attitude” (Potter & Perry. p107) are important.” I maintained eye contact with him and calmed him down.

I told him not to worry so much as there will always be an end to all problems. Which I felt was very true, with my personal life experiences. For Mr. Ong, I talked to him for the next thirty minutes in a bid to find out more about his current financial status so as to think of what would be the relevant Nursing Care I could provide.

After our long chat session, I realized that he is the sole-bread winner of his household and has just been retrenched during the recent economic crisis. The company which he had worked for 15 over years had decided to merge with a bigger corporation in order to stay competitive, thus he was laid off as part of the restructuring plan.

As I heard his story about his struggle, I quickly analyze what would be the possible solutions to his problem. He was only been admitted to the ward for two days due to back pain. To add to his woes, the teams of doctors are still trying to work out a diagnosis from the lab reports. He was also given painkillers to help him ease the pain, while the medical investigation continues.

From our conversation, I understand that he has two children aged ten and twelve, a wife who stays home to take care of the children. She also works as a seamstress who does alteration at a nearby fabric store, near where they stay, to help support the family.

He does job search in the day, while dispatching newspapers in the wee-hours of the day while most of us are asleep. This is to allow him to earn some income as the compensation by his company won’t last long due to his family’s current condition – especially since he has been hospitalized.

After gathering these essential information, I went to the nursing counter, took the phone directory and search for the Medical Social Welfare (MSW) department. “Effective communicators realize that the goal is to share information, and that this information sharing is typically a two-way street. (Ambler, 2004)” On the phone, I told the officer my client’s – Mr. Ong, condition and asked them if there is a way we could help Mr. Ong in getting any social grants. Since, he is staying in a C Class ward and his children are young and his wife is doing odd jobs to support the family. I could feel the pain he is suffering, though it is not happening to me. Moreover, the stress is too much for a patient to handle with the pain that come his way and the loss of a job.

Moments later, I received a call from Judy, a MSW staff. “Hi Jasen, this is Judy, from MSW, speaking. I understand that you have a client – Mr. Ong, who was admitted two days ago and his diagnosis has yet been confirmed. And he needs some financial assistance for his hospitalization.”

“Yes, that’s right. Alright, could you tell me what the best plan is for Mr. Ong?”

“Ok, we have checked with his previous employer and noted that he was retrenched and they are willing to pay for his medical expenses as he has been a hard working staff. And never took any medical leave, throughout his entire employment years during his stay with the company.”

“I see, so are they keen on re-employing him? Or are they just going to pay his medical expenses as a parting gift?” I asked.

“Hmm, they have decided to re-employ him, however, he will have to take a pay cut of 50%. And his position will still remain the same. Oh, Jasen, I’ll be making a trip over to speak to the client about this.”

A few hours later, Judy came into the ward with all smiles, as she walked towards me. “Hi Jasen, are you ready to bring me to Mr. Ong?”

“Yes, sure. I hope that he’ll be delighted to be re-employed, and hopefully no pain-killers for him.”

We chatted as we moved towards Bed 18 where poor Mr. Ong lay there with a sad looking expression. As he saw us walking towards him with smiles on our faces, his moods brighten up a little. “Smiling is a powerful cue that transmits Happiness, Friendliness, Warmth, Liking & Affiliation. Thus, if you smile frequently you will be perceived as more likable, friendly, warm and approachable. (Ritts & Stein. 2004)”

“Mr. Ong, this is Judy here.” I said. “She will be here to explain to you what we have arranged for you, which we hope you will also like.”

“Ok. I hope you guys have come out with a plan to solve my financial problem which will also reduce my agonizing pain.”

With some confidence, Judy sat down and presented what she has told me earlier on the phone to Mr. Ong. In the beginning, Mr. Ong wasn’t that happy to be re-employed by his old company which had retrenched him. However, the though of a somewhat secure job, made him change his mind and he agreed to return to work after his discharge. Even though it would have meant a 50% cut from his previous pay packet. It still sounded good to him.

Miraculously, his back pain subsided a little. Days later, he was discharged from his back injury due to his bad posture, while delivering newspapers as we later found out to be the cause of his agonizing pain. Before he left the ward on the day of his discharge, he thanked me for what I have done, and told me to send his regards to Judy as well.

Conclusion

From this episode, we can understand that having a therapeutic touch in communication with our client, helps in opening up their narrow world and brings us closer to them in knowing their problems. Having known their problems, it would be easier for us to zoom in and tackle the problem straight away. That also helps us in gaining their trust and being efficient in solving their problems, thus building up patient-nurse confidence.


End Reference

Benner, 1989, Providing Presence in Patricia A. Potter, Anne Griffin Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing (5 th ed.), 2001, p107, Mosby, St. Louis Missouri.

Simons, 1987, Providing Presence in Patricia A. Potter, Anne Griffin Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing (5 th ed.), 2001, p107, Mosby, St. Louis Missouri.

Ambler, Scott W, 2004, Communication : The official Agile Modeling.

Ritts Vicki, ( St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley), Stein, James R. (Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville) 2004, Reprinted by permission, in Six ways to improve Nonverbal communication.