CHAP 4 PERSONAL QUALITIES PROFESSIONAL SKILLS PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

CHAP. 4 – PERSONAL QUALITIES & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS • • • • PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Begin to develop at early age – Includes interests, behaviors, emotional responses, attitudes Your personality determines how you cope w/ different situations at home/work QUALITIES & SKILLS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR HCP: Enthusiasm - for career Optimism – a positive attitude Self-esteem – confidence in one’s skills Honesty – earn the trust of those you work with Patience – ability to remain calm in stressful situations Cooperation – ability to interact w other HCT members Organization – key to success in any career Responsibility – ability to be counted on – ownership of actions/decisions Flexibility – w/ time & talent Sociability - w/ wide range of people

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES • Expected to behave in a manner consistent w/ the standards, views, behaviors of their profession • Students begin to learn by – • PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES/SKILLS • Dedication to public service • Being motivated by job fulfillment • Trustworthiness • Competence – includes a willingness to : • learn – change – admit mistakes - accept criticism • Good time management • Initiative, problem-solving, & critical thinking(common sense) • Good communication skills •

VALUES • Is a belief about the worth or importance of something that acts as a standard to guide one’s behavior • VALUE SYSTEM – a person’s ranked personal principles – leads to your code of conduct • How? • Development of Values – you are not born with - learn • • • What do you think are Important values for HCW? •

Important values for HCW include: • Altruism – concern for the welfare & well-being of others • -demonstrating an understanding of cultures, beliefs, & • perspectives of others • - advocating for patients • - taking risks on behalf of patients & colleagues • - mentoring other professionals • Respect for Patient Autonomy • - respect for the right to self-determination • - respect patients rights to make decisions about health care • - planning patient care in partnership w/ patient • - honoring rights of patients & their families • - providing information so patients can make informed • decisions

Respect for Human Dignity • • • Respect the inherent worth & uniqueness of all individuals - providing culturally sensitive care - protecting patient privacy - preserving the confidentiality of patient & health care info - designing care w/ sensitivity to individual patient needs • • STRESS Can be brought on by physical, chemical, emotional factors Can produce physical & emotional tension Has been linked to illness & disease

TYPES OF STRESS • • • EUSTRESS – leads to positive reactions Low levels often motivate people to complete tasks, deadlines, solve problems Many experience daily • DISTRESS - causes negative reactions High levels cause nervousness & make you unfocused, can cause you to over eat or not eat at all Can prevent you form participating/ enjoying normal activities • • Stress Producers - what stresses one may not stress another living a chaotic/disorderly lifestyle Lacking the ability to say “no” Taking problems/criticism personally Maintaining unrealistic expectations Dealing with excessive demands Inflexible Suffering self-doubt

STRESS

HCW- demands on their time & talent • • • Handling emergencies is a normal occurrence Dealing w/ life & death situations – strain HCW feeling stress – physical signs anxiety, agitation, depression Can be easily detected by others Negative attitude due to stress can impact worker, co-workers, patient

STRATEGIES TO COPE • • HCP dealing w/ stress can have issues focusing on the needs of others Should be dealt w/ before overload or burnout Everyone is different in how they react/deal to situations & stress Negative strategies include – • • Positive includes for HCW: Set priorities - & stick to them – daily to-do-list -which are necessary & which are not – important must do & then rest of list Keep life & work simple- basic time management – avoid procrastination – errands & tasks should be combined whenever possible – okay to say”no” to those things that have no value Identify & reduce stress producers- write down tasks/situations that produce stress – then find ways to reduce/eliminate Shift thinking - Accept difficult tasks as part of the job instead of complaining about them - how you approach stressful situations Enlist social support - Jon Donne wrote ”No man island” - network – everyone needs support at some time Relax & renew – when stress is about to get the better of you – take a break Music – exercise – change environment & people – good laugh -? ? ? ? • • •

PERSONAL HEALTH • • • Nutrition – breakfast is important Eating healthy & maintaining a healthy body wt. can lower stress My. Pyramid. gov - lots of information about nutrition & healthy eating • • Exercise = increases energy –decreases stress Aerobic impact: more energy, less stress & tense, appropriate wt. , improved self-esteem Minimum 3 days/week for 30 minutes – more is better Find something you enjoy • • • Sleep –well rested – better mind set – tired = increased stress/mistakes NIH – adults need 8 hrs – Caffiene, nicotine, alcohol, food can impact sleep Personal Hygiene & Grooming – first impressions HCW – people who are ill sensitive to odors & germs Unscented body soaps & deodorants - no perfume/cologne