Photo Source: https://www.healthecareers.com/acog/article/healthcare-news/interdisciplinary-healthcare-team Hi Everyone! My name is Brittani DaSilva, and I am a Sodexo distance dietetic intern. I live in New Jersey, but completed my clinical rotation in Arkansas. Although I had to spend four months away from my husband, the awesome experiences I had in Arkansas really made time fly!
I had the opportunity to shadow a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP). She was really awesome and showed me both bedside swallow studies and a modified barium swallow study. During the modified barium swallow study, I was able to observe how a therapeutic change allowed the patient to swallow liquids without aspirating. What made the experience even more special, was that the patient was a retired SLP. He truly understood the benefits of the therapeutic change, as he had made this same recommendation to improve the quality of life of so many patients during his career.
I was also able to assist with a class for new patient care technicians (PCT’s) who were attending a local nursing school. During the class, the RD discussed the importance of properly documenting patient meal and supplement intakes. She also talked about different food and beverage consistencies, supplements, and the importance of being enthusiastic about the hospital foods. I was able to mix up different liquid consistencies for the new PCT’s and explain to them the differences in the consistencies and supplements. It was really fun to assist the RD in teaching about the importance of nutrition and how PCT’s and RD’s can work together to improve patient care.
During my rotation, a weight loss system called Orbera was launched at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Arkansas. This system involves the non-surgical placement of a gastric balloon in the patient’s stomach. The balloon is removed after six months. Until that time, patients receive support from a team of weight loss experts, including RD’s. I was able to participate in the very first nutrition counseling session with the first patient scheduled to undergo the balloon surgery. Learning about the system and the role the RD will play throughout the process was fascinating.
I also had the opportunity to attend ICU rounds with the patient care team for over two weeks. This was a great learning experience, as working directly with the patient care team allowed me to experience first-hand, how the roles and responsibilities of each member of the team complement each other.
All of these great opportunities provided me with a wealth of knowledge that has truly helped me grow and has made me more confident in my abilities as a dietetic intern.
To get the most out of your experience, here are two pieces of advice I would like to pass on to you:
I had the opportunity to shadow a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP). She was really awesome and showed me both bedside swallow studies and a modified barium swallow study. During the modified barium swallow study, I was able to observe how a therapeutic change allowed the patient to swallow liquids without aspirating. What made the experience even more special, was that the patient was a retired SLP. He truly understood the benefits of the therapeutic change, as he had made this same recommendation to improve the quality of life of so many patients during his career.
I was also able to assist with a class for new patient care technicians (PCT’s) who were attending a local nursing school. During the class, the RD discussed the importance of properly documenting patient meal and supplement intakes. She also talked about different food and beverage consistencies, supplements, and the importance of being enthusiastic about the hospital foods. I was able to mix up different liquid consistencies for the new PCT’s and explain to them the differences in the consistencies and supplements. It was really fun to assist the RD in teaching about the importance of nutrition and how PCT’s and RD’s can work together to improve patient care.
During my rotation, a weight loss system called Orbera was launched at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Arkansas. This system involves the non-surgical placement of a gastric balloon in the patient’s stomach. The balloon is removed after six months. Until that time, patients receive support from a team of weight loss experts, including RD’s. I was able to participate in the very first nutrition counseling session with the first patient scheduled to undergo the balloon surgery. Learning about the system and the role the RD will play throughout the process was fascinating.
I also had the opportunity to attend ICU rounds with the patient care team for over two weeks. This was a great learning experience, as working directly with the patient care team allowed me to experience first-hand, how the roles and responsibilities of each member of the team complement each other.
All of these great opportunities provided me with a wealth of knowledge that has truly helped me grow and has made me more confident in my abilities as a dietetic intern.
To get the most out of your experience, here are two pieces of advice I would like to pass on to you:
- When you are presented with opportunities, take advantage of them!
- If you aren’t presented with an opportunity but want to do something, just ask!
