What is it about?
Working in an interprofessional environment can be challenging when you want to get as much exposure as possible as a Student Operating Department Practitioner, and also to stand your ground with any concerns, even as a student! A lot of times, students are afraid to voice their needs and concerns and a part of learning and development is to be confident using direct & effective communication. This is one of the fundamental attributes a health professional must posses.
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Why is it important?
In the Operating Department, communication is key for continuity of care from each department. Safeguarding and being the patient's advocate is number one priority, which is why policies and procedures must always be adhered to. When someone is not following protocol, even if they are 'higher' position than you, it is your duty even as a student to raise concerns and awareness. I have done this myself as a student! For example; I assertively told an anaesthetist to remove their soaked-bloody gloves as they were contaminating the doors and equipment. This is a infection control risk for patient's and yourselves. Your health & safety matters too!
Perspectives
I wrote and published this article during my third year of the Operating Department Practice course. At this point I had really discovered the importance of interprofessional working and why communication is absolutely vital from department to department and to colleague to colleague. It cannot be stressed enough that professional communication must be attained at all times.
Ashley Wooding
Edge Hill University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Interprofessional learning: a student's perspective, Journal of Operating Department Practitioners, November 2013, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/jodp.2013.1.2.95.
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