Implicit Association Test

Majority of my tests I don't believe had very accurate results as I found, being right handed, that my left hand couldn't respond as fast and I would get anxious and screw it all up.

But anyways, considering where I come from and the people I grew up with I believe that I am very open minded. Not many from my hometown are willing to accept anything that is different or out of the "norm."

I'm not saying that I believe everything everyone does is right, there are some things I definitely don't agree with, however I am willing to accept that everyone has their own beliefs and I don't feel the need to change that. Ignorance is what blinds us and we need to take those blinders off, especially in health care. We will be expected to care for everyone, our health care system isn't racist, so why would we be? That doesn't mean that we approve of other cultures and the way that they live their lives, but it does mean that this is our job and we will have to learn to put our differences aside.

Nonverbal Communication at the Mall

For this activity I went to the mall and observed two middle aged women talking. They were dressed formally and had name tags, I assumed they both worked at the same department store and were on a break. I sat near enough to clearly see their facial expressions and body movements, however, I could not hear the conversation at all. As one of the ladies was speaking the other seemed to nod along in the conversation and they each had their bodies facing each other. Obviously very seriously engaged in conversation. They seemed very unhappy and looked to be listening very intently to what the other had to say. They held eye contact for majority of their conversation and hardly even recognized those who were sitting beside them, who you could easily tell were listening in to what looked like a very serious and important discussion. Both used a lot of hand gestures when they were speaking and their facial expressions portrayed disgust and dissatisfaction. Their eyes told most of the story as they would arch their eyebrows, furrow their eyebrows, roll their eyes and use the infamous long blink. It seemed they were pressed for time as the one lady checked her cell and they both walked away quite quickly.

Their body language really showed their interest in the conversation and the fact that they were actually listening to each other, or so it seemed. They were very unaware of their surroundings and the fact that their eye contact never broke showed that. They weren't even bustled when a man sat down beside them. Just from watching their nonverbal communication I could easily read and feel the atmosphere between them. From only watching their bodies it was like reading an open book.

Ultrasound Videos - Worst and Best

It really goes to show how much of an impact a good experience with an ultrasound exam can have on a patient. I loved how even though the lady's appointment ran almost an hour behind and she was in so much pain from having a full bladder that in the end that didn't really matter. She was thrilled and so happy with her experience, we as sonographers, need to take note on all of the little details that really matter. Anything that can make this experience better for the patient is worth taking the time for.

It impresses me that no matter what it always seems that the bad prevails the good. The bad experiences will always seem to be etched in our memories, however, not all of the good memories can we even remember. You don't hear many stories of a good experience which are the ones we really need to hear, not everyone has bad experiences. Don't get me wrong, yes we can and definitely will learn from the bad ones but it's nice to hear some positive feedback that your doing a good job or that a coworker is.

Prenatal Ultrasound Article

Reading the article really opens your eyes as it's not just the sonographer and the machine in the exam room, there is a patient there who depends on you, and they are not just some object your scanning.

I can only imagine if I was an expecting mother to be placed in that type of situation. Your full of emotions anyway, uncomfortable, worried, excited, nervous, awkward, and who knows what else and to be placed in a dark room, out of your comfort zone and hoping for the best news only to find that your sonographer hardly acknowledges you.

As sonographers, not only are the images important but the interaction and communication with the patient are vital. It won't be easy learning to be able to draw that line between your connection with the patient and when to be professional. I really hope that I will be able to make my patients feel as comfortable as possible and make their exam a positive experience.

Assignment #1

I recently experienced a poor situation regarding professionalism in healthcare:

I was scheduled to see a Doctor at our local clinic (not my regular family doctor) to have a prescription renewed. After sitting down in the room he began to ask me questions pertaining to my personal life and whether or not I had booked my regular yearly physical this year. Shortly after replying with a "no" he began to yell at me for not understanding all of the health risks, being so immature, and so on. He went on to yell at me for over ten minutes and never even realized that I had begun to cry as he continued to yell. After his yelling came to a halt he refused to renew my prescription unless I booked an appointment on my way out so I promised I would make an appointment. As I walked out he informed me that I must book my physical with him instead of my regular physician and then he proceeded to follow me to the front desk and made the appointment for me!

After this situation I felt humiliated, untrustworthy, frustrated and much more. I could not believe how he had treated me and did not trust me to make an appointment as I had every year before. I would not have minded if he simply stated and explained to me but yelling was not necessary and there was no need to treat me like a child. Needless to say I have yet to go back to him.