Community Eye Health. 2003; 16(45): 7–9. As eye health workers, we give much attention to learning and teaching the importance of health education and the prevention and treatment of eye disease. Despite our gained knowledge, sadly, our efforts are not always successful and we are presented with the responsibility and challenge of caring for people
who have to cope with visual impairment, perhaps for the rest of their lives. We have to understand their difficulties, recognise their abilities and learn how to cooperate and communicate with them in a social as well as hospital environment. It is often within the eye hospital itself that the lack in education of health workers and their understanding of the assistance needs of blind and visually impaired patients is all too evident. Visually impaired and blind people come from
all kinds of backgrounds. Many are elderly, some are young. They may be sportsmen and women, gardeners, farmers, chess players, teachers, typists, musicians, lawyers, housewives, computer programmers, physiotherapists, social workers, telephonists, parents…… Such people have many abilities and can achieve many things despite visual impairment or blindness, but there are times when they will appreciate and welcome practical assistance. There are some general points to remember, which are really common sense and a matter of courtesy:
Approach and Attitude
Guiding (Fig. 2)
Walking in Single File or in Narrow Spaces (e.g., in shops, offices and busy crowded areas) (Fig. 3)
Doorways (Fig. 4)
Steps, Stairs and Slopes (Fig. 5)
Kerbs and Roads (Fig. 6)
Seating (Fig. 7)
Travelling (Fig. 8)
In the Eye Hospital
Eye health workers have a responsibility, and an important position, for teaching others about assistance to the visually impaired. But we must be seen to be practising what we teach. A community-based rehabilitation project in Uganda, some years ago, used a very appropriate and challenging means of raising awareness. They provided T shirts for the project team members with illustrations and slogans which read, ‘Don't pull me’ (front – see Fig. 9) and ‘Walk with me’ (back – see Fig. 10). Can you think of similar activities, perhaps? Acknowledgements
Articles from Community Eye Health are provided here courtesy of International Centre for Eye Health What do medical receptionists do?Job duties of medical receptionists
Greeting office visitors and managing patient intake. Answering and routing incoming calls. Scheduling patient appointments and managing providers' calendars. Updating patient records, including personal information and insurance and billing data.
How should you address a patient when calling her from the reception room to the exam room?Address the patient formally by Mr. Mrs. or Ms. (this is not a privacy violation) Direct the patient as to what room they will be going to.
Which of the following patient information is required on the encounter form?Although encounter forms can differ based on company, facility type, and services offered, they will generally include the following information: Patient profile (including patient name, date of birth, billing information, insurance information, etc.) Clinical observations (including diagnosis and diagnosis codes)
How can the way the reception station is set up promote patient privacy?By positioning waiting room/seating areas away from the often busy reception area, it gives patients more privacy to feel relaxed before their appointment. This also helps protect patient information since receptionists are often handling confidential information. Comfort.
|