Takeaway
Valuing the contributions from ancillary staff, such as occupational therapists, not only enhances patient care but also provides a valuable learning opportunity for clinicians, fostering a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to medicine.
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | January 28, 2025 | 2 min read
By Gokul Krishnan, MBBS, MD, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, India & Carolina Musri, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
During my observership at Johns Hopkins, I witnessed occupational therapist Mr. M perform an assessment on an elderly male who had undergone resection of a frontal lobe tumor a day earlier.
I’m well-versed in neurological assessment and have conducted detailed histories and examinations of complex neurology cases throughout medical school and during my internal medicine residency in my home country of India. However, what I witnessed here was one of the most focused and efficient assessments I’ve encountered. By the end of the evaluation, Mr. M was able to clearly pinpoint the patient’s challenges. What I found particularly impressive was that at each stage of the assessment, Mr. M took the time to explain the findings to both the patient and family, helping them understand how each factor was contributing to the patient’s disability.
This approach helped the the patient understand the significance of each exercise, enabling greater engagement in his recovery. Additionally, it empowered the family to support and guide him after discharge, even in the absence of a therapist.
Later, Mr. M shared the rationale behind the approach with me and insights gained over his two-decade career. I’ve had similar experiences working with other ancillary staff. It’s inspiring to see the critical role they play in patient care. This level of collaboration is something I’ve found particularly unique in the U.S., where occupational therapists, case managers, social workers, speech therapists, and others, are deeply involved in patient care. The system is far more comprehensive and integrated than what I’ve encountered before.
In India, their role is more passive and doesn’t involve such detailed assessment. Furthermore, the entire treatment plan is made primarily by the treating physician.
Here are a few things I learned from Mr. M:
1. It’s important to acknowledge the role played by ancillary staff in patient care and utilize their expertise to improve patient care.
2. It’s crucial to collaborate closely with supplementary staff and thoroughly review their notes and assessments, rather than simply their final recommendations. In fact, being present in person bedside during the initial assessment is the most effective way to learn from them. This is an opportunity for a discussion on their approach and findings.
3. Recognize that they bring a unique skill set and valuable experience, offering you and others a great opportunity to learn.
Coming from a background that’s lacking the above and witnessing the positive impact on patient care in the U.S., I’ve learned to appreciate ancillary staff and hope work together in my future.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.