Shweta Ramkumar’s Post

5⃣ ways of identifying your personal triggers as a healthcare provider The word “trigger” can encompass several meanings, examples and connotations However to properly contextualize it in a healthcare provider space I’m going to focus solely on emotional triggers People, places, thing and situations Can all elicit intense or unexpected emotional responses in us Healthcare providers are humans too, hence they;re not exempt These can be the result of ✅Past traumatic experiences ✅Negative memories ✅Fear and phobias ✅Situations involving stress, grief or change; Amongst several other causes For example, large crowds, noisy places and heavy vehicle traffic Almost always triggers my levels of stress, panic and anxiety For you it may be something completely different So the question now remains, how do I know what triggers me ? These 5 strategies below have worked for me, so try attempting them ➡️Identify any negative feelings you experience in unfamiliar environments or situations ➡️Be mindful, present and listen to what your mind and body are saying ➡️Look into similarities in patterns of emotions and reactions you have during certain times, places and around certain people, make a record of it in a journal ➡️Evaluate your past history with experiences, people, places, situations, unresolved traumas and mental health challenges ➡️Seek help from a therapist or mental health professional Above all, practice self compassion and empathy Not only for your own well-being but to also be present, engaged and Feel better connected with your patients Identifying your personal triggers and managing them effectively Especially when you’re aware of your patients undergoing something similar   Can not only help build resilience within you, but also them You will provide a strong sense of support and empowerment to your patients Connect better with them Build trust, impact and Deliver positive experiences consistently

Is there ever TMI on exchange of personal emotional triggers ? While it can be very tempting for us as healthcare providers To share our personal experiences in the space of triggers With our patients for common ground and to connect better with them And you could argue that there are benefits to it I cover 3 reasons why it’s a terrible idea to do so While offering an alternative on what to say To maintain professional boundaries While still connecting and building trust with patients

Adding fuel to the fire 🔥 of our triggers This is how many of our consultations with patients can turn out to be Just like how oil 🛢️ can be added to this fire 🔥 Our role of working with vulnerable patients day in and out Several of whom have numerous traumas and stimuli That can trigger their trauma responses Our deeply embedded traumas may also be triggered To resurface in that environment This is particularly common in the mental health space Where practitioners may inevitably work with patients who Are undergoing or may have undergone similar traumatic experiences as them If we’re not mindful of what or who can trigger us It can lead to a lot of negativity in our interactions with patients You may experience distress, rage, sadness and even feel numb Which, during consultations, will not only worsen your patients’ experience If not dealt with and resolved in a timely manner Can impact your mental well-being Leading to potential burnout and your patients losing trust in you Therefore, being aware of, identifying, managing and Dealing with our triggers as healthcare providers is imperative Not only for us to be productive, functional and happy but To also connect with and relate better to your patients and Enhance their trust in you Leading to positive outcomes overall Self awareness is foundational in going through this journey Its one of the first modules in my communications coaching program for healthcare professionals If this is an area that you would like to get more support, clarity and guidance on Click on the link in my bio to schedule a complimentary strategy call with me To see how I can guide you in your journey

✨Language DOESNT equal communication✨ This is one of the myths I dispell in this week’s video While also differentiating between what language and communication inherently encompasss and Answer a vital question below 👇 Does language fluency always lead to improved communication ? This will give healthcare providers who’s English isn’t their first language Clarity on what they truly need to focus on improving To build better relationships with their patients While continuing to deliver positive patient experiences to them Full video on my YouTube channel Healthy Dynamics

Patients should receive free hugs alongwith their treatment plan Sounds controversial and probably a tad inappropriate and unprofessional ? Believe it or not two of my LinkedIn followers posted stories last week About why its important for patients to be hugged By the healthcare providers supporting them While I don’t entirely disagree with them and Am equally aware of its several benefits It is important to know who is at the receiving end In several cultures, hugging, especially between members of the opposite sex, is tabooed I’m part of one such culture, which is changing now, and is completely normal in Australia where I live Additionally, many patients may be neurodivergent or have undergone trauma Which may trigger unpleasant feelings when they’re touched During my time as a high school teacher, I was very vigilant of this However, there were times when a student who enjoyed our time together Asked for hugs and I rarely refused The difference is that I would never initiate it, and If the other party consents and show being comfortable I’d give them what they wanted As healthcare providers we need to be equally mindful when put in such situations Gauge each patient individually Go with your gut Never initiate physical contact Keep such gestures brief Also hugs aren’t a substitute for empathy and compassion towards your patients Navigating such tricky sensitive situations with your parents is never easy Especially if they come from cultural or religious backgrounds that are different to yours If you would like to get a better understanding of and support in these areas Click on the link in my bio to schedule a complimentary strategy call with me To see how my coaching can best support you

Are healthcare professionals a cultured lot ? And no its not the type of 'culture' you probably have in your head It refers more to how aware, sensitive, respectful and competent they are Towards the culture, religious and language diversity in their patient cohort Both the patient and healthcare worker diaspora is turning into a melting pot globally Therefore, developing cultural competence is imperative In this week's video I cover three examples of where cultural diversity shows up during out interactions with patients and What we can do to demonstrate respect, awareness and sensitivity towards them Full video on my Youtube channel

I coached myself to communicate better instead of letting it hold me back professionally and socially Growing up, I was painfully shy, reclusive and awkward I struggled to communicate, make friends, small talk and stand up for myself Often retreating into my own world to avoid the discomfort of social interactions. I was also naturally a book-smart, nerdy and academically excellent student which made it worse I was gifted at teaching and coaching others hence chose that as a profession Where I specialised in teaching high school and university students on How to crack the exam code I was wildly successful at it and in teaching overall, and Had made it my coaching niche initially However, I looked back at how My lack of communication and social skills disempowered me and Stopped me from asking for what I wanted Setting boundaries Building connections and Others from walking all over me Through life lessons, challenges and choosing experiences that constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone I cracked that code to the best of my ability to now communicate In ways that best reflect who I am at my core I learned about, made mistakes, reflected on and improved what I knew About collaboration, empathy, active listening and being culturally competent Using it now in the approach and philosophy that my coaching entails   Sure I could’ve easily stuck to my original coaching niche and by now had a calendar full of clients However it would’ve been short lived, short term and Not let me witness true client progress and transformation Plus I was toxically conditioned to believe that examination success, grades, ranks and accolades Were the be all and end all in being intelligent and successful (thanks India) It did me no favours and I didn’t want anyone letting those determine their worth Hence, I integrate language fluency and communication skills in my coaching To support healthcare providers who’s English is their second language Become better, more empathetic, sensitive, compassionate, authentic and articulate communicators overall If I can go on, practice and excel in this journey, so can you With a bit of help from little old me :)

✨Language fluency is NOT the be all & end all✨ This is not to throw shade as my colleagues who are experts in the field However the truth is Fluency is only one of several elements That go into becoming better at communication The two aren’t mutually exclusive We should never let our limitations of the grasp of a language Hold us back from expressing and articulating ourselves This video provides an example of a healthcare provider Who beat all the odds and made significant achievements Without letting her lack of fluency in English hold her back If she can do it, so can you

Stop focusing solely on speaking like Native English speakers Or acing English proficiency exams They lead you nowhere, don’t solve your problems and create more of them This is in no way dismissing their existence They do serve a fundamental purpose However, when it comes to communicating better Particularly as a healthcare provider who works with patients Aiming for language Fluency alone is far from sufficient The importance of ‘soft skills’ in communication has been highlighted in the corporate world for a long time When it comes to working as healthcare providers who Support some of the most vulnerable members of the community AND Work in a highly team-orientated profession These skills don’t just have to be emphasised They are foundational, fundamental and can’t be doubled down enough Particularly due to the ever evolving landscape in healthcare in terms of Diversity in patient cohort Their changing needs and expectations Their individual challenges The role of technology At the end of the day, as healthcare providers We need to be able to communicate with confidence, clarity, authenticity and articulation In a way that genuinely represents and reflects who we are at our core With no smoke mirrors fakeness or deception Hence, development of English language fluency and soft skills have to be blended equally To be able to connect better with your patients Build influence and authority with them Earn their trust Excel in your profession and reap its true rewards The Venn diagram below represents my coaching model in what I focus on In order to empower and equip healthcare providers to develop their communication skills If you're a healthcare provider who's English is your second language And are interested in significantly improving both these areas Click on the link in my bio to schedule a complimentary strategy call with me To learn how I can assist and support you in your journey