Our final day in Homer gave us a unique look at more of the health challenges faced by this community. We hopped in the car and went canvasing for the narcan kit, medication disposal, and needle exchange programs that the public health office helps to run. The opiod epidemic hit Alaska, as the rest of the US, very hard, and needle exchange programs are a good way to keep people safer before they are able to quit. The medication disposal programs can help people get rid of unneeded meds before they are abused. Lastly, narcan can prevent overdose deaths. We also learned about the unique challenges of access to care, as the next town is almost a half hour away and the town after that around 45 minutes. The only hospital in the area is in Homer, so care is at least a half hour away. Any serious injury need to be airlifted to Anchorage. The sheer size of the state means these problems are prominent everywhere. Another unique aspect of care I noticed was the Russian population. This population keeps to itself and is not receptive to the public health office. This is why Lorne has made it a mission to foster a relationship over the years, and the longer he has been at the office the more receptive they have been. It was a good lesson in the importance of relationships in public health.
The main thing I am taking away from this trip is the importance of relationships in nursing. Nothing can be done without a patient-nurse relationship that at least allows communication to happen. Relationships with patients take time and effort. It allows more information to passed to the nurse and healing to happen. Do not only focus on the skills, make sure the patient is heard, and is being cared for holistically.
The main thing I am taking away from this trip is the importance of relationships in nursing. Nothing can be done without a patient-nurse relationship that at least allows communication to happen. Relationships with patients take time and effort. It allows more information to passed to the nurse and healing to happen. Do not only focus on the skills, make sure the patient is heard, and is being cared for holistically.