2. Acknowledgements
This guide is for patients and their families.
It is also a resource for learners in the health
and social care professions. It was developed
by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences
Centre and the Northern Ontario School of
Medicine (2010).
Working Group: Patricia Lee, Bonnie
Nicholas, Shelley Chisholm, Holly Rupert.
The Working Group extends thanks to
Patient Family Advisors Dave Van Wagoner,
Keith Taylor, Roger Rickards, Barb Rickards
and the Patient Family Advisory Team of
TBRHSC for their assistance.
Text: Holly Rupert - Vantage Communications
Photos: Scott Chisholm Photography
Financial assistance was received from
the Interprofessional Collaboration
Education Fund of HealthForceOntario
through the Ministry of Health and Long-
term Care, and the Ministry of Training,
Colleges and Universities.
3. Who are we?
We are learners from different
programs. Some of us are studying
nursing, physiotherapy, occupational
therapy or medicine. Others are
learning the skills needed to be a
paramedic or a social worker. We
want to be part of the team of
people caring for you.
Hello, We’re Learners… A Guide to Helping the Learners Caring for You 21
Will you be a partner in our learning?
When we can help care for patients like you, we learn so much.
You do have a choice to accept care from learners, and we hope
you will allow us to be part of your team.
This hospital is an Academic Health Science Centre. That means it
is a teaching facility where we come to look after real patients in a
real care setting. It is important for us to do this to gain experience.
When we can talk to patients like you, we learn how to include
you and your family in your care. That’s important. We know that
treating you with respect and keeping you and your family at the
centre of care are the main goals of the health sciences centre.
4. What can you expect from learners?
When we come to you, we will tell you our names and what
kind of learners we are. We will also explain what we are
going to do for you. The care we can give you will depend
on where we are in our education and experience. Some
of us have just started our studies, while others are farther
along in their learning. They are ready to help you in more
ways. We all think of ourselves as learners. You can find out
more about different learners in the section called, Meet the
Learners on Your Care Team (See page 8).
While we are learning in the health sciences centre, we
always have a clinical teacher we can call on for guidance.
You may see us with our clinical teacher or we may come to
care for you on our own.
What do we learn as part
of your care team?
When we finish our studies,
we are expected to work in
a team. As part of your care
team, we learn to assess
your needs and to use our
skills to improve your care.
We are also learning from
each other and about each
other’s skills. By being part
of your care team, we are
building the skills we will
need in the future.
Is the whole team still involved
in your care?
Yes, everyone is involved. Learners are often asked to
gather information about you. We may ask questions you
have already answered, but please be patient. Our duties
differ, depending on what area of care we are learning, and
we use the information in different ways. We share your
information with our clinical teacher and your care team,
but always with your privacy in mind. All of us can use the
small white board by your bed to share things about your
care. You and your family can add things too. Your story is
important because you are a partner with the team.
Hello, We’re Learners… A Guide to Helping the Learners Caring for You 43
5. “Mrs. Jones can you tell me
how I did when I checked
your vitals this afternoon?”
“Mrs. Jones is there one
thing that we could do
better when we get you
ready to go for your
physio appointment?”
“I liked it when you told me things
were about the same.Today I was
worried that I might be getting sicker.”
“Well, I worry about transferring into
the wheelchair. I’m afraid of falling.
If you could support me more firmly,
I would feel safer.”
65 Hello, We’re Learners… A Guide to Helping the Learners Caring for You
By answering two questions, you can help us a lot.
What should we keep doing?
What should we change?
Will you tell us what you think?
Did you know you may be one of our best teachers just
by telling us how you feel about the care we give you?
Some ways of telling us how you feel
I liked it when you ... because ...
When you ..., I felt ...
Before you ..., it would help if ...
After you ..., I was ...
I thought you did ... very well. It felt ...
6. Will you help us learn?
Now you know why we are here in the health sciences
centre. We learn so much when you share your experience as
a patient with us. It really is a special partnership. If we can
be partners in your care, we can learn how to help you and
other people who come to the health sciences centre. We’ll be
taking another step in our growth as caregivers.
Meet the Learners on Your Care Team
In Ontario, all health and social care learners attend approved
programs at a college or university. The programs vary in
length and may take two, four or more years to complete.
DIAGNOSTICS
Laboratory technician
A laboratory technician performs the practical work in the health
sciences centre laboratory. This includes testing blood and tissue
samples. This technician may come to a patient’s room to collect
a blood sample.
Medical radiation technologist (MRT)
The medical radiation technologist operates the imaging
machines that produce pictures or X-rays that help your
doctor diagnose your illness. A radiation technologist may also
provide therapy treatments for patients with cancer. Usually a
technologist specializes in one type of technology.
Respiratory Therapist (RT)
A respiratory therapist is skilled in helping people who have
breathing problems, such as asthma or other lung conditions.
They work in many areas of the health sciences centre. A
respiratory therapist may come to a patient’s room if oxygen
is needed. They are usually called to help when people have a
heart attack or injuries that affect breathing.
Hello, We’re Learners… A Guide to Helping the Learners Caring for You 87
7. MEDICINE
Medical Student (1st and 2nd year medicine)
These learners are studying medicine after completing
education in another area of study. In the first and second year
of medicine, they focus on the basics of medicine. They are just
beginning to gain skills in patient care. At this level, they gain
a great deal from observing and interviewing patients.
Medical Student in Community Clerkship
(3rd year medicine)
These learners have completed basic studies in medicine.
Sometimes they are called medical clerks and their third year
of study is called a clerkship. At this stage, they are applying
their skills in the health sciences centre and other places in
the community.
Clinical Clerk (4th year medicine)
These medical learners are continuing their clinical learning,
primarily in the health sciences centre. During this year, they
study different areas of medicine such as surgery and family
medicine. This experience helps them to decide what area of
medicine to practice.
MEDICATION
Pharmacist
A pharmacist has detailed knowledge of medications and how
they work. Large health sciences centres have a pharmacy
where these professionals dispense the medications that are
ordered by a doctor.
NURSING
NURSING Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered nurses work in many settings in the community,
but in the health sciences centre, they are the caregivers
managing the day-to-day care for patients. The care can be
complicated and the registered nurse works very closely with
doctors and other professionals on the care team to provide
the best care. The registered nurse helps the team to be aware
of the needs of the patient and the family.
Hello, We’re Learners… A Guide to Helping the Learners Caring for You 109
EMERGENCY
Paramedic
A paramedic is trained to be first on the scene when there is an
accident or other medical event. Paramedics care for the injured
people and take them to health sciences centre. They spend time in
many departments of the health sciences centre as part of their studies.
Medical Resident
These learners have finished formal studies and have written
a licensing exam. Medical residents are doctors. They are
qualified to look after people, but they are also continuing to
learn in a specific area of medicine. At this stage, a doctor still
has two or more years of practical learning to complete.
Physician Assistant (PA)
These learners have completed education in another area of study and are now
studying topics in medicine.They assist doctors in the health sciences centre
and other places where people receive health care.
8. REHABILITATION
Occupational Therapist (OT)
An occupational therapist offers practical ways to do everyday
things at home, at work, and in the community. This is
important for patients who have had a serious illness such
as a stroke, a heart attack or an amputation. Occupational
therapists work with patients in the health sciences centre.
In the community, an occupational therapist may be part of
the team who visits a patient in the home.
Physiotherapist (PT)
Physiotherapists help people who have joint or muscle
problems. They pro-vide treatment to improve movement by
teaching patients exercises that can help strengthen muscles
and reduce pain. They work in the physiotherapy department
in the health sciences centre and may also come to a patient’s
room or visit in the home.
SUPPORT
Social Worker
Social workers are trained to listen and discuss physical, emotional,
and practical or financial concerns that patients may have.
Listening is often the most important part of their role for
patients and their families while they are in the health sciences
centre. Social workers also help arrange services in the community
that will help patients after leaving the health sciences centre.
Chaplain
Chaplains provide support to patients and their families. It is not
necessary to have a religious background in order to meet with a
chaplain. They help all people who seek support. Learners in this
field do practical learning along with specialized studies. In the
health sciences centre, they work with staff chaplains.
Hello, We’re Learners… A Guide to Helping the Learners Caring for You 1211
NUTRITION
Registered Dietitian (RD)
Dietitians advise people about meal planning, weight control and
diabetes management. In the health sciences centre they plan
nutrition for patients, particularly people who require a special diet
because of their medical condition. They help patients and families
plan for healthy eating after leaving the health sciences centre.
Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
In the health sciences centre, a registered practical nurse
provides daily care for patients who need less complex care.
Within the care team, the registered practice nurse works
closely with the registered nurse. RPN students study nursing
for a shorter period of time.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed
further study to expand his or her skills. Nurse practitioners
can diagnose and prescribe medicine for patients with many
common illnesses. In the health sciences centre, a nurse
practitioner works as part of a care team providing special care.
Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
Speech language pathologists help people with voice, speech,
language or swallowing problems. These problems affect a
person’s ability to talk and eat. In the health sciences centre, this
caregiver will often work with patients who have had a stroke.
