7-11-17

The Cherokee health care system is ran by the Cherokee instead of the state or government like the health care systems back home are. The healthcare team at Cherokee Indian Hospital consists of a provider, LPN, RN, and a CMA. When a patient comes into the emergency room the patient checks in at the desk unless brought in by EMS, then they wait and are brought back by the RN to a room vital signs are checked and the RN addresses them to find out the problem. The provider then goes into the room and assesses the patient then comes out talks to RN and puts in orders for RN to complete. The RN then completes the order and in most cases patients are then discharged. While in the ER I talked with the RN’s they stated that most of the time there is no wait time to be seen in the ER but when there is patients are seen by acuity. 

 

So far in my time at Cherokee Indian Hospital I feel things are fairly similar to the care that is provided back home. Some differences I have noticed is they don’t react or aren’t surprised when people don’t show for their appointments. I have asked a few nurses their view on why people don’t show for their appointments and their responses were along the lines of because there is no repercussions to them not showing for example they don’t pay a fee. I think it is great that Cherokee members receive their healthcare for free but when it is abused I feel there should be some form of repercussions. Within the Cherokee culture they have an alternative clinic within the hospital that offers massage, aromatherapy, and acupuncture to the enrolled members. 

"Tell me and I forget Teach me and I may remember Involve me and I learn" -- Benjamin Franklin 

Better late then never

Well yesterday was a full day for us here in Cherokee NC. We had are first day of clinical experience and got to experience and see so much. My day began at the ICC/FCC for the morning part of clinical. The ICC is the Indian Immediate Care Clinic and the FCC is the Family Care clinic. The ICC is for enrolled members of the tribe at it is comparable to a prompt care or urgent care back home. The FCC is for employees and non enrolled members, visitors or members. It is like a doctors office back home. The FCC was established for employees and those who work for the tribe but not apart of it can still receive care since their health coverage is free. After the morning clinical we had a picnic lunch on what is known as the island. My afternoon clinical was spent in the ER. The ER has three safe rooms for clients that come in and are harmful to themselves or others along with three triage rooms and several exam rooms. After clinical we watched the drama which displayed the trail of tears called Unto these Hills.Overall the first day of clinical was great and I learned and got to see a lot. 

" What we learn with pleasure we never forget"-- Alfred Mercier

Blog post 7-10-17

Oh boy the afternoon we had was amazing... Visiting the village was an outstanding experience and seeing the dances and homes that the Cherokee lived in the past. Then we had our first free time journey floating down the river.  Though the water was cold it was a blast. However, falling out of the tube and hitting your knee is no fun but… YOLO!

After spending the day out an about within the Cherokee community my first impression of the environment is interesting. There are a lot of homes that I would consider to be on the lower income. There are also a lot of shops and outdoor space. But from the hospital perspective it was amazing with everything that is offered. One of the most interesting thing I learned about their culture’s history today was at the museum. I learned that the Cherokee were forced out of their homes and were only allowed to take what they could carry. I feel that the Cherokee values and beliefs are somewhat similar but also have clear differences. I feel it is similar in the aspect that family is important to me as it is to them. The big difference is my view on receiving and complying with medical treatment. I am very big on receiving and encourage people to seek and comply with treatment. It is also different in the way many Cherokees act socially. This area has a huge problem with drug and alcohol abuse. In social environments I carry myself  with trust, honesty, openness as well as mindful of people and my surroundings. With the children in the community they receive heritage through the passing down of roles and skills including basket weaving. The children are also heavily influenced by the elders within the community. The Cherokee community I feel is very similar but also different in the aspect that people know people and openly communicate including saying “Hi”, “good morning”, or “have a great day”. I can’t wait to see what tomorrows clinical day brings. 

“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy- I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it” – Art Williams

Mid day update 7-10-17

So far the day has been amazing... it started at the hospital. The hospital is by far the most amazing hospital I have ever seen! During our tour of the hospital we got to see how nature was combined in the design of the hospital. I can't believe the stories that are in the hospital art work. All from the incorporation of wind, water, and fire to the water beetle and the fire spider. Overall I can't wait for clinicals to start tomorrow. After the tour of the hospital we checked out a local food shop and had some lunch. We just finished up touring the museum. The museum had a lot of history and even talked about their language the syllabary which was developed by Sequoyah! I also learned about the native dress for cherokee men and women which I found fascinating because it's not what most American people think. 

Photos will come later! 

"You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting! So...get on your way!" --Dr. Seuss

7-9 First night in NC

Well we made it to our home away from home for the week and of course it has the most gorgeous view. I had a fun and memorable time on our journey together. 

As the next week comes I am most excited about getting immersed in the cultural and learning about the way Cherokee accept and practice medicine.  I am also looking forward to seeing the Cherokee Indian Hospital and all that it has to offer. With new adventures, I feel there are always apprehensions. As the week approaches I am apprehensive about feelings that could come up for me when exposed to difficult situations in the hospital for example cases of abuse. I feel this could be an issue for me because of my strong love for pediatrics and passion for children in general. When exploring and looking into social and cultural aspects of the environment we will be immersed in for the next week I found that the Cherokee have a Children’s Dental program. The program visits schools early in the year and also can be accessed from the hospital. According to the Children’s dental program potion on the Eastern Cherokee public and human service site “Dental decay is the number one chronic disease among children, occurring 5 times more frequently than asthma”. I feel that Native American people are interesting and often misunderstood. I feel that they truly believe in their culture as we all do but that others don’t easily understand their values, beliefs and practices. I think some of my beliefs around abuse and neglect my need to be set aside to allow myself to see, understand and take away from the Cherokee Culture. I feel my beliefs could cause judgement of their culture and I am really here to learn and experience it from their aspects as best as my abilities allow. Leaving my thoughts and beliefs behind for this week will have a positive outcome on my future and the things I take away from this experience.As I sit here staring at the mountains and enjoying the first night in the cabin I am really looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong”—Sue Fitzmaurice

Reference

Children's Dental Program . (2017). Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Public Health & Human Servies. Retrieved July 09, 2017, from http://www.cherokee-hmd.com/childrens-dental/index.html