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As I think I mentioned before, I am currently interning at a mental hospital in New York. For confidentiality reasons, I'm not supposed to say a lot, but I'll try my best so bear with me. One of the things that has been horribly frustrating for me this year is how much my particular program has just kind of gone under. Most of the people that are working directly with the residents who are in the program are older adults who don't have any kind of college education and got this job right out of high school and can't wait to retire. The social worker and program director (programs are the activities that the residents on the ward do) are barely on the ward for 15 minutes every day, and these are the people who are supposed to know the residents the best and provide the most care for them. And then we have 2 doctors and one psychologist on the ward, and I have NEVER seen them interact with residents unless they were giving them a medical examination or to talk briefly about a new medication.

I guess it comes down to this: why do the people who interact the most with the residents have the least in terms of education? I mean they are worlds away from the doctors and social worker in terms of how well they know residents individually and how well certain things will work for specific residents, but they can't suggest medication, they can't recommend release, and they really have no power to do anything with them. This seems really backwards to me. Shouldn't the people who spend the most time with the residents have significant power in the referal and release process, be educated so that they can tell the difference between a hegative behavior and a drug reaction, and so forth? Should the state provide that kind of education? Any thoughts or comments would be very cool smile

This wouldn't be the first time I've heard that a program like this is totally screwed over. I don't think that people need the top-notch education to do things for the patients like feed them and lead them in activities, but that's assuming that they put some time and effort into it. I think the problem is that people don't really care about the patients and that the people who ARE super-educated are too busy trying to handle a million things at once because of the demand on their time and special knowledge. If people did care, it would help some for the JOB to provide basic education. I mean, if you work as a computer programer your job will train you in new things if you need it. It's not the same as a degree, but rather more specific education/on the job training. Caretakers need to have a basic understanding of whatever they are dealing with and a few required seminars might be enough.

sure the proper education and actions taken SHOULD be enforced... but it can't always be like that.

(Most of) Our medical facilities have become set on popping out prescriptions, confining people to institutions, and half-thought out diagnosing. It's sad, but true. Once you're done with your internship and have stabilized your living situation, start changing things that you see could be changed for the better. It has to start somewhere, right?

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