Aussie Rules, Literally.
This past Wednesday (May 13th) and Friday (May 15th) our group had the privilege of visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. We each received individual schedules which allowed us all to have unique experiences more tailored to our courses of study. Overall, at the end of the first week, the Royal Children’s Hospital seemed to make an everlasting impact on us.
The main lobby is open and inviting and there is art everywhere. Soon after, you see a giant aquarium. Other areas include a meerkat exhibit and a starlight room with fun activities for the kids. Each floor has a theme animal as well. It seems extremely catering to children and their families (who understandably may be hesitant going or staying at a hospital). Small things like this make a huge difference. Imagine being a small child and being ill, and having to go to this massive scary hospital. However, with the friendly staff, inviting aquarium, and game room a child can feel more comfortable. Being both psychology majors, we both got a taste of what it is like being in the psychology department at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Although our two days at the hospital differed on the second day, our first day at the Gatehouse Centre was together. We are both interested in learning more and want to help individuals who have suffered emotional and mental trauma. The Gatehouse Centre is a therapeutic service for children and their families who have suffered from sexual assault and trauma. Although we learn about this in class, we never have the experience of asking questions to social workers who work in sexual abuse. We learned about their court system and their theories that they use to work with their families such as family systems. One interesting fact about this service that really struck us is the fact that the children do not have to testify in court many times in the same room as their abuser. Children are prepared for court by explaining the justice system, and they conduct pretrial education and processes with the child to make it less frightening.
The second day at the hospital was also a wonderful experience. I (Emily) had the opportunity to shadow a research assistant that is also a general psychologist in the neuro psychiatry department. This was a wonderful experience because I had the chance to view a screening assessment of an adolescent being tested for a learning disability. I have never had the chance to sit in on a screening and scoring of an individual and to see all the cognitive tests that they receive during this process. I left the testing feeling drained and sad due to the information that the individual disclosed involving substance abuse and suicide. I felt as though the individual needed more help on finding a counselor for these issues, and was not receiving it. Overall, this entire week was a wonderful experience, and we feel so fortunate to have been able to participate in all the agency visits including VACCA.
In addition, there’s an aboriginal health center with a small area with couches and a tv, in it’s own area apart from the rest of the hospital. Some aboriginal families may travel from very far, so having a familiar area can help families feel more at ease.
And there’s a Ronald McDonald (Ronnie Macca) House very close to the hospital. I was extremely happy to hear Australia has Ronald McDonald houses as well. It’s an invaluable resource for families whose children are staying in the hospital. Though it does work on a waitlist system, so it really depends on if there are enough beds. If not, the hospital has a few rooms (without nurse care) for families to stay if their child is having surgery the following day.
In Australia, everyone pays into a system to provide them with public health insurance. If someone makes more than a certain amount, they are encouraged to take out private insurance. Royal Children’s is a public hospital, so the majority has access to it (and Royal Children’s is a leader in a lot of specialties, so that’s a huge plus).
I (Megan) was able to sit in on an interdisciplinary care meeting for the renal ward on Friday. These meetings are held every Friday for approximately two hours. Doctors, nurses, health educators, social workers, and an aboriginal health liaison meet to discuss the patients currently admitted (and even home care patients, as many do home dialysis). I sincerely appreciated to efforts on the part of all staff to be sensitive to the various biological, mental, spiritual, and social aspects of each patient’s care.
All in all, Royal Children’s was an incredible experience and I’m sure what we’ve learned will be invaluable tools we can take back with us. Theories discussed in the sexual assault training can be applied to other areas of trauma in our classes, and the screening assesment for disabilities is universal, can be used in our future practice.
By Emily Sorrenti & Megan Johnston
amazing