Patient Consultants: A Short Story

There is a need for doctors in all specialties, but none more than primary care. Primary care physicians (also known as family practitioners) are the workhorses of medicine. They are the doctors on the front lines working in clinics and hospitals providing medical care for anyone who comes through the door. Family practitioners are jacks-of-all-trades but masters of none, leaving the mastering to the specialists who specialize in certain areas of medicine. Specialists typically see patients who have either been referred by family practitioners or have more severe issues. Because of this, we need more family doctors than any other kind of doctor, which is why the decline of this specialty is so serious. Why is it that medical students are going different routes? That is the million-dollar question researchers have been studying in order to reverse the trend.

“Of course.” I promised. A couple hours had passed and the sleep got to her, so I said another sad goodbye and left her to rest. Only one visit left…

"It's okay. We still have a lot to learn about each other, we'll know one another well enough to not make it weird. Anyways, I had a really nice time tonight, cupcake."

“Is that so,” i nearly felt surprised of not having to yell those few word. Time dragged on while getting real awkward.

He laughed again as they made their way into the camping equipment store he scouted out. He decided to buy some time to see if he could get some answers out of (Y/N) and pretended to browse.

The following case study is a critical analysis of patient’s experience within clinical practice. Through the use of a process map, the patient’s journey will be evaluated and ways of which it could be improved suggested. In accordance with the NMC code of conduct (2016), section 5 will be adhered to with consent being obtained. Furthermore, a pseudonym will be used throughout the text. The patient from here on within will now be referred to as Maureen. Maintaining confidentiality is an ethical duty, it is part of good medical and nursing practice. Moreover, it is a condition of registration that we, as health professionals abide by our ‘registering bodies ' guidance on this issue (Lowth, 2013).

The sociological theory of Functionalism takes upon the perspective that society consists of systematic processes, which revolve around set structures. Functionalist theory allows for the creation of health and illness as variables (Stam, 2000). These variables all lead to development and require that certain structures be used to restore proper function. The intended purpose of this reflective piece is to identify how my Patient-Practitioner experiences could be viewed from the sociological theory of functionalism. The essay will present a case study and then proceed to analyse the case through the lens of functionalism. The analysis will include limitations of functionalism and consider implications of this analysis upon future paramedic practice.

“It’s not a big deal. I’ve had worse.” I shrugged. I was trying to play it cool. Not a great talent of mine, but with cute guys like him I had to at least try.

“It’s been fine, I guess.” he said looking away, and the conversation ended for a while.

“I’m Y/N. Thank you. For, you know.” She laughed; it was a beautiful laugh that I almost forgot to respond again.

When she turned to you the door disappeared, she gave a soft smile when her eyes focused.

Frank just looked at Gerard and started laughing. “That was actually really fun,” he said.

I slowly opened the door and stepped inside hearing a gasp from the other room.

I brought her some before the shift change.” A small body appeared beside me. From the enthusiasm in her voice, I could tell she was excited to finish her shift.

I pushed the front door open, and the scented warmth engulfed me with delighted glee. Obviously Olivia and Edward were busily preparing for the Thanksgiving dinner, so there would be no lunch at all but chocolate chip cookies and nonfat milk. I greeted them rather half-heartedly and went to my own quiet attic, eager to finish the last few chapters of Breaking Dawn and to move on to The Outsider. Olivia did mention about my note stating that I would be back