Reflection

Hi everyone,

It has definitely been a while since I have posted on this blog. Here is my attempt at reflecting my last couple months as QuIHN.

For the past 2 months I have only had about 7 days where I wasn’t working or attending placement so I really have not had much time to breathe. I actually reached my 240 hours of placement about a month ago but I still try to attend placement as much as I can as I enjoy it so much. I am currently working on a project called the Client Health Survey where we interview clients about their general health, injecting use, drug use and mental health. A lot of the questions in the survey as quite sensitive and bold so depending on the answers I would need to implement some form of intervention or referral. I have learnt so much from my placement and am truly grateful I was given the chance to go to QuIHN. My practical experience has really helped me cement my passion for the alcohol and drug sector.

In the past couple months I have also completed a couple training sessions. One of them was the mental health first aid which is offered for free by the university. This course has been very useful and relevant to my placement and I highly recommend it. Mental health has affected over half of the population and is an issue that needs to be considered in so many aspects of health. The course really helped me breakdown my own stigma I had of mental health and ever since I completed it I have had to use skills and tools I learnt from the training on several occasions – in and out of placement. I also attended training called the;’family drug support training run by the FDS. I never realised the impact drug use could have on the support network of the drug user.

Wow it is 3 am so I might continue this when I have time again.

Michael

Blog Activities – long over due

Activity 2

The project I am currently working on at QuIHN is called the Hepatitis B Rapid Testing. The purpose of this testing is to provide a less invasive and quick method to test for Hepatitis B. There is a 99% sensitivity and a 96% specificity for this method of testing which means that it isn’t 100% accurate. Therefore no matter what the result is we have to refer them on to our GP for further testing. There are doubts about the effectiveness of this project in a clinic such as QuIHN as many of our clients have been using our services for many years not and already have had a recent blood test. This type of project would be more suitable in a clinic that specialises in Hepatitis B where their services are targeted to the younger population. I am currently in my training phase for this project as I will have to do both the pre and post counselling as well as the testing itself. It is very important that our clients receive pre and post counselling for this testing as they need to be prepared and well informed about the possible results. Three individuals that could serve on a planning committee for this project would be a general practitioner, a project coordinator and a hepatologist. A general practitioner (preferably a GP who will be involved in the project) would be required on a planning committee for this project as they will be involved in the process after the initial testing. The GP will provide any further testing needed for the client. A project coordinator will be required on the planning committee so they can structure the project to fit their organisation and their local community. A hepatologist (if available) would be ideal in a planning committee for this project to provide the necessary information required for the client about liver diseases such as treatment options, symptoms, options and up to date information.

Activity 3

Links to needs assessments

http://ruralhealthworks.org/wp-content/files/2-CHNA-Toolkit-Text-and-All-Appendices-May-2012.pdf

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/global-network/global-health-toolkits/needs-assessment.pdf

http://community-wealth.org/content/community-health-needs-assessment-chna-toolkit

A needs assessment would have been beneficial for this project during the initial stages to assess its effectiveness in the community that surrounds QuIHN. From a couple discussions with my direct leader it has been quite obvious that this project is not effective in this community and we are seeing if we can transfer our supplies to a clinic in Fortitude Valley which has a greater demand for this type of testing.

Activity 4
One goal that I have set for my health promotion project (rapid testing Hepatitis B) is to provide participating clients with a clear, understanding and non-judgemental testing experience.

3 Objectives

1. Develop a clear and understanding pre-counselling for the rapid testing.
2. Implement an accurate, non-invasive and quick Hepatitis B rapid testing
3. Provide appropriate intervention options

The first two objectives can be measured through a feedback form or quick survey at the end of the testing. The last objective can be measured through a tally sheet showing how often such interventions were used.

NOTE:  At this time we have decided to send our testing supplies to a clinic in Fortitude Valley as these tests have not been effective at QuIHN. The other clinic specialises in Hepatitis B and have been having a higher use of these rapid testing.

My new project that I have been assigned to is called the Client Health Survey. This survey has been created by UQ St Lucia and asks clients about their general health, injecting use and Hepatitis C history. Throughout the interview we ask questions that are quite sensitive and personal and depending on the responses given certain interventions can be implemented. These interventions include safe injecting, risky behaviours, blood borne viruses (mainly Hepatitis C), treatment and testing options for Hepatitis C and possible referrals to our GPs, nurses or counsellors for professional help.

I left my other blog activities saved on my computer at placement and will upload them when i go in next.