This article is part of a series authored by Ryan Kelley, CHS, HC-S and published by the Hyperbaric Certification Commission.
"This article is different from my previous articles. The previous articles in this series consisted of my approach to hyperbaric safety procedures. Today we'll take a different approach by making hyperbaric safety cool and fun for you and your patients, while at the same time adhering to the highest standards of practice and patient care ." Ryan Kelley
Background Information:
Before hyperbarics, I worked in the mental health field for several years where I used various de-escalation techniques. One such technique I use in my hyperbaric practice is called the "charismatic approach". In a nutshell, the charismatic approach involves making things fun, throwing out one-liners, and conversing with patients as if they were friends. This isn't always possible, or preferred, so do your best to "read the room." Let's face it, some patients prefer a more professional approach and would like to complete their treatment time and head home. Others might respond better to this more personal approach.
My job as a clinician is to support patients in healing , but my mission is to help patients smile about something every single day! I know they're going through a lot with their health, and my goal is to make the process of hyperbaric safety as fun and enjoyable as possible.
Here's what I do:
●Learn my craft.
●Don't include too many big medical terms in my daily safety vocabulary.
●Learn the ins and outs of hyperbaric safety.
●Incorporate fun into hyperbaric safety.
Now let's break down the how:
Adding the charismatic approach to hyperbaric treatments starts with learning your craft first and foremost. Next, get to know your patients' likes and dislikes. I always like to avoid divisive topics, such as religion and politics. Nevertheless, these topics come up, and reading the room could mitigate any problems that could occur by engaging further. I lead my day with, "How's your day going? Did you do anything fun over the weekend?"
Those two questions have turned into some hilarious conversations. Sometimes I'm asked if I'm having this much fun with patients, how do I keep on task and not miss anything? I simply say I'm proficient at walking and chewing gum at the same time (ha-ha). All joking aside. I didn't start this way; I worked up to it. When I was first breaking into the field of hyperbarics, I was a sponge; I wanted to learn anything and everything. I wanted to go to every continuing education event and acquire every bit of knowledge I could. I'm still like this! My process is not better than anyone else's, I'm simply sharing my experiences in the chance that it might help someone else sharpen their craft.
Making some changes to the way you engage with your patients can be very helpful. Having a fun personality and keeping the wording simple and easy to understand works well.
You can make hyperbaric safety cool and fun, and keep your patients engaged with your process this way. I like to start from the ground up, with the orientation and education process, to the actual hyperbaric treatment processes.
Making these processes fun and enjoyable can ease the patients' anxiety levels. It can also help you establish a rapport with your patients.
Have you ever had a patient who was hard to work with and didn't want to listen? If you've been in any type of customer service job, you know what I'm talking about. The charismatic approach is designed to help with patients of that nature. I like to use my physical attributes to my advantage, such as the fact that I'm bald, so I have a joke I use from time to time that gets even the hardest to get along with patients smile or laugh. If I've been working with them for a decent amount of time, I'll say, "Mr (or Mrs.) patient, I know we go back further than my hairline, but I can't let you take your phone into the chamber." The reaction I get from making light hearted jokes is priceless.
Making safety fun or cool is definitely an art. It starts with making things fun and enjoyable. But also stay on task and make sure you're checking all of your safety procedure boxes. I think adding the charismatic approach to your process will make the patients' experience fun, and they'll continue to come back to see what you're going to say or do next.
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Medical professionals, here are some additional links to help you connect to the hyperbaric medical community.
TRAINING: Medical professionals for more training on hyperbaric medicine, hyperbaric safety, and wound care education please explore Wound Care Education Partners continuing education courses at https://woundeducationpartners.com/
HYPERBARIC CERTIFICATION COMMISSION: If you are looking to earn recognition as an expert in Hyperbaric Program Director or in Hyperbaric Safety go to https://gethcc.com/
FACILITY SAFETY & ACCREDITATION: For additional information on hyperbaric facility & chamber safety and accreditation visit the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society at https://www.uhms.org/
Is Hyperbaric Safety important to you?
Because hyperbaric safety is so important to us, we are starting the Hyperbaric Safety Alliance.
Our goal is for the Hyperbaric Safety Alliance to serve as a professional networking group where people can connect on all topics related to hyperbaric safety. If you are interested, join our mailing list to stay informed. gethcc.com
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