1.4 Chapter Conclusion
Anita Hedlund
Summary
This chapter outlines the reasons someone might choose healthcare as a career. A desire to help and serve others is often the primary inspiration. Those who are contemplating healthcare as a career need to examine their values and learn about ethical and patient-centered care to provide healthcare that is respectful and culturally appropriate. Future healthcare professionals will need to apply emotional intelligence to understand and empathize with the experiences of both patients and coworkers. This chapter also outlines the benefits and disadvantages of working in healthcare, discusses the importance of self-care to achieve work-life balance, and provides an overview of the complex U.S. healthcare system and how all its elements fit into a healthcare practitioner’s approach to supporting their patients.
Review Questions
- Values and traits such as _________ and _____________ can be a part of daily work in serving others.
- Select the top reasons to go into healthcare:
- Job security
- Flexible hours
- High pay compared to length of education program
- All of the above
- True or False: One of the most important things to do to keep people safe in healthcare is communicate clearly.
- What lifestyle choices lead to many of the health problems in the United States?
- Tobacco use
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Imbalanced diet high in unhealthy fats and calories and low in nutrients
- Lack of exercise/activity
- All of the above
- Think of what you value when it comes to your work. Some people find that they need a challenge, others want to practice certain skills, and some really enjoy communicating or helping others. What are you hoping to gain or experience in your future career?
- Most healthcare careers require a certain level of education and a certification. Take one minute to list your top worries about the prospect of additional schooling. Then, take a minute to list what excites you about additional education. Compare your two sets of responses. Which list feels larger? What can you do to manage the worries and focus on the positives?
- What are prerequisites?
- List three advantages of a career in healthcare 1._________ 2.___________ 3.___________
- Reflect on a time when you received patient-centered care. How did the experience make you feel? Did you achieve the health goal you intended when visiting the clinic or hospital? Why or why not?
- The United States has a privatized healthcare system, whereas other countries may have a nationalized or socialized healthcare system. In your opinion, what are the two most important differences between these systems? Why do you think they are important and who benefits from those differences in the United States? Who is hurt by them?