Rural healthcare brings joy and value.

Edward Keep, MD

TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago Med, and Code Black show a life of excitement when working in a hospital. It is fast paced and full of adrenalin.  The staff save lives, deal with drama, and make an impact. This is the dream life for a student in the healthcare field.

So when encouraging students to work in rural healthcare, students often do no equate rural healthcare with the excitement seen on TV. Many students’ thoughts on rural healthcare are boring, outdated, and serving a bunch of hicks.

For the last eight years,
Edward Keap, MD, has been
practicing medicine in
Chilton, WI, clinic.
Chilton is a rural
community
of only 3800 people.

However, Edward Keap, MD, shares a much different perspective. Keap shares rural medicine is the most challenging and stimulating for a physician. That physician may be the only one available within a wide radius. “Rural medicine reminds physicians of their value. In the small centers of America, where the advanced technology of medicine isn’t always immediately available, our job becomes absolutely critical,” Keap explains.

Advanced technology and specialists may not always be available. Yet rural healthcare facilities are starting to invest in technology and ensuring ways to access specialists when needed. Because of the limited staff though, physicians in rural settings can often learn more. Rural physicians have to treat a variety of diseases that in an urban setting would be seen only by specialists. Rural physicians may be able to consult with specialists, but it is still the rural physician who provides the care.

In a rural setting, physicians can get to know their patients at a much greater level too. “I can’t fathom working in a large city. This is my community. It’s where I live. I treat my neighbors. I’m valued here in the community that I value. It’s the only way I ever considered practicing medicine,” Keap shared.

To gain experiences working in rural healthcare consider Northeastern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center’s CHIP (Community Health Internship Program) or Wisconsin Express. Information about both programs can be found at http://www.newahec.org/programs/

Growing my career and a harvest

Sara Smith, a CHIP
(Community Health
Internship Program) Student.

By Sara Smith. December 2017.

Until my CHIP (Community Health Internship Program), I only knew two things about fruits and vegetables. Most of them come from the ground and most of them I like to eat. Yet this last semester I had the opportunity to learn about composting, planting, and harvesting a variety of foods. I worked with Grow It Forward in Manitowoc, WI to expand their community gardens.

The previous year Grow It Forward had community members build the garden center. This year’s focus was involving community members, and especially youth, in the planting and growing the produce. Community members were asked to bring materials for the compost. Materials included things such as fruit peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. I stirred the pile once a week to ensure proper ventilation and a good compost pile. I never knew this was so easy. It was great to see so many community members support the garden with their garbage.

Onto planting and this is where the youth really got engaged. I developed a hands-on-presentation for students to learn how to compost, plant, and harvest the produce. I also included information regarding the importance of good nutrition for healthy bones and bodies. The students then helped dig the holes, plant the seeds, and water the ground. It was so great to see the kid’s energy. Most all wanted to come back once a week to water and see the progress of their work. By getting the students involved, meant we got the parents involved.

Students learn about gardening and the
benefits of good nutrition for strong
bones and healthy bodies.

After the hard work comes to the rewards to enjoy the harvest. Any community member who had assisted with the community garden was invited to come to the end celebration. Throughout the season I had taken photos and encouraged people to share their experience. From these items, I created a memory book for historical purposes and to share at the celebration. Music and food samples from the harvest were included in the celebration.

From this great experience, I learned how to garden. Most importantly I learned how to engage community members in an activity. I realized the importance of having people engaged in their own wellness. Especially the youth who really like the gardens. Many of them had small gardens in their own home. They admitted to eating more fruits and vegetables this year. As I graduate from nursing school this year, I will now find ways to help my patients be more engaged in their own wellness management. I am glad I participated in CHIP and would encourage more students to participate.

To learn about CHIP and how to participate visit: https://ahec.wisc.edu/chip/

Interprofessional Workshops for Better Care

Interprofessional experiences improve
staff relations and patient services.

“Why do you leave the room as soon as you bring a patient into the room,” asked one radiology technician of the transport nurse. The nurse simply replied, “because of the concern of radiation.” Taking time to learn from each other can improve teamwork and patient care. The radiology technician is often alone. It is the technician's responsibility to assist a patient to the table for testing. The extra assistance would be helpful. However, the transport nurse had always been told to leave immediately due to radiation exposure. Yet after this dialogue, the transport nurse learned that there is no exposure to radiation while the patient is prepared for the tests. After this understanding, the transport nurse now stays in the room to assist with patient preparation. This simple change increases teamwork and improves the patient’s experience.

It is sometimes these simple questions and times for understanding that can improve quality care. In the past doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals learned their own roles needed to deliver care. Yet this limited teamwork and comprehensive patient care. In the late 1980’s, the World Health Organization recognized the value of teaching professionals in a multi-professional educational setting. This allowed disciplines to learn how to collaborate with a team during their student year. This resulted in them to work more effectively in their professional lives. 

Today schools are encouraged to provide experiences for students from two or more disciplines to learn with, from and about each other to improve collaboration and delivery of care.

Northeastern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center provides interprofessional workshops throughout the year to provide interprofessional experiences. Workshops are conducted to provide interprofessional, round-robin discussions. The workshops also include case study scenarios for various disciplines to work through to determine collaborative and comprehensive care opportunities.

“It was one of the best, learning opportunities for me as I try to be a better physician assistant for all of my colleagues. I have attended more than one workshop as each one expands my understanding of the various disciplines and ways to work together,” explained Mark Thompson, third-year medical student.

To learn more and to register for an upcoming Interprofessional Workshop visit NEWAHEC Interprofessional Workshops

What do I want to be when I grow up

I have always been jealous of those who always knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. At one time, I wanted to be a special education teacher. Unfortunately, when I job shadowed a teacher she discouraged me. She said I would go to school for eight years to only like my job for the first few years. That didn't sound like a good path.

I then had a great school newspaper advisor. She encouraged me to stay in communications. She helped me line up job shadows. I viewed all different types of media: radio, TV, and newspaper. Participating in job shadows were great. It allowed me to ask a lot of questions. Plus I was able to experience the job before committing to four years of school. After spending the day at the three different media outlets, I chose to major in communications.

After graduating I landed a job in graphic arts for a hot tub and spa company. Although it didn't quite utilize my degree, it was something I enjoyed. I did various graphic artist jobs for about 10 years. One year I did some volunteer work. It was then realized I was ready to step away from an 8-hour desk job to do community work. I worked as a coordinator for a Volunteer Center. Then I did grant community organizing at Northeastern WI Area Health Education Center (NEWAHEC) where I am now Executive Director.

One summer I was asked to help chaperone at NEWAHEC's summer camp. A week-long camp for high school students to explore and experience over 20 health career opportunities. During that week I could have easily changed my career about 10 times. In the end, I did not change my career but was impressed by the opportunity for the students. I wish every student would have this opportunity.

To this day I am not certain I am in the right career. I do know unless you know for sure what you want to be when you grow up, job shadows are a great opportunity. NEWAHEC provides job shadow and career experience opportunities. They still offer the health careers summer camp which is another great way to explore various health careers.

There are hundreds of different health career opportunities. Some only require a high school or two-year degree. For those who can't handle blood, there are opportunities for you as well. Some positions require you work with patients and other jobs do not. No matter what though there is always a need for healthcare professionals.

If you don't know what you want to be when you grow up, I would encourage you to look at the healthcare profession. Meet with NEWAHEC staff to discuss your likes, interests, and skills to determine which health career would be a good fit for you.