Tyler Chramosta on his time in Martin
Week One:
Rose our CNP told Joe and I that Friday nights can be very busy around town. She was correct in her statement as we had five ER visits, a code, and a couple ambulance trips. During the code, it was interesting to actually help run the crash cart, as this would be my job during a code when I finish my education. I was surprised to learn that Bennett County Hospital, as the closest hospital, is 45 minutes from some of its patients which influences emergency care.
After one week at Bennet County, I have learned much about the culture of the native tribes and their healthcare needs. Reviewing patient histories has helped to educate me on many different problems that I have never seen before and has helped me understand how healthcare in a rural area works.
Week Two:
As a pharmacy student, some of the things I have learned during this experience is things I may never to do again (i.e. learning how to intubate a patient). I believe that is one the best things about this experience so far. I will learn so much about healthcare from the aspect of so many health care professionals. As a pharmacist it seems most days that I am the ‘medicine man’ so it has been refreshing to practice other clinical related skills. The more I am exposed to a different variety of health care the more likely I am able to become a better pharmacist. By being a student involved in REHPS I have been able to practice hands on skills that will allow me to become a better pharmacist.
Week Three:
Throughout my time here in Martin, SD I have been able to grow as a health care professional as well as member of the community. It has been a privilege to be looked at by members of the community to be one of the members not only of the health care team but community as well. It is fun being called regulars at the local restaurant. I have been able to grow in my health-care experience by working hands on with health care members. I came into this experience with the essential pharmacy knowledge and what to do in pharmacy related questions, however now I am more equipped to handle not only the pharmacy related questions but also a few more medically related questions. I have been working with a plethora of qualified professionals to learn many things from; such as learning how to properly splint a patient, how to run the crash cart during a code, as well as proper irrigation techniques to remove bugs from ears. I would have never been able to get this opportunity just working back home in Lincoln. This experience has opened my eyes to not only rural health, but health care in general.
Week Four:
Throughout my time as a member of the REHPS team I have learned many valuable life skills that I will be able to use to grow as a healthcare professional. Rural health was nothing like I expected. At first glance, rural health seemed to be a random town in the middle of nowhere serving very few patients a day. As each week progressed I started to learn more and more that this was not true. The one comment that still resonates with me, is our CEO telling us what the difference between rural and frontier medicine was. Joe and I were certainly experienced frontier medicine.
The staff was a blast to work with and as we got to know each one of the members of the hospital team, both Joe and I started to feel like we had jobs there and were part of the family. The experience was a once and lifetime chance to be a part of something bigger than myself and learn from various medical personnel. As a result, I could see myself with a life in a small town working as a pharmacist in a great community such as Martin, SD