The Product

Before volunteering/working in any medical environment, I had very little sympthay towards anyone really. If I was treated nicely or rudefully, I would do the same back. I was always taught to treat people how I would like to be treated. Of course, the little rebel that I am, that wasn't the case for me. It wasn't until my journey through the Kaiser Permanente Outreach Program that changed my whole aspect on this subject. In the medical field, whether you're a Nurse, Physician, Receptionist, you will get patients who look like they are in a hurry, worried about their child, anxious about going to the doctors, etc. You have to give them the benefit of the doubt which means assuming that their is a reason behind their behavior towards you because you really don't know who they are and they don't know who you are either. An example of this that I've encountered would have to be at the convalescent home I was volunteering in. There is this senior citzen who loves me so much and she was always sweet saying "thank you"and "I'm glad your here helping us". Except one day when I was passing out cards to each senior citizen, instead of starting on the right side of the room like I've done all the time, I started on the left because I was already there. Well she was on the far right and when I got to her she had her arms crossed and had this little snooty face on and she asked me in a angry tone why I skipped her. I told her I did not skip her that I was getting to her. She said, "No you don't like me anymore and I don't want to play." I thought about what I was going to say and I remembered "give them the benefit of the doubt. Look at where they came from and where they ended up now. I told her, "I like you and I would never skip you." She didn't forgive me but I myself was surprised I didn't answer rudefully. I was empathetic and I understood why she was upset. In the end she felt sorry and apologized to me. I told her not to be sorry. It is my fault.