Pre-Med Core Fieldwork Experience:

Observation and Reflection Process

Name:​ Cassandra Mann A/B Day: ​A-Day

Advisory Teacher: ​Mrs. Fitzgerald Junior/Senior: ​Junior

Location or Agency: ​Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

Purpose: ​Shadowing

Prepare:
Prior to your first visit to your fieldwork location, please answer and reflect on the following
questions:
1. What do you know of the location you will be visiting? What services does the
organization provide?
I know that many people go to SRMH for treatment. They provide all sorts of care for all
sorts of conditions.
2. If you are visiting a specific department, what is their primary focus?
I am visiting the oncology department, where their primary focus is to treat cancer
patients.
3. What aspects of mental health do you imagine you will see during your
observations?
Some aspects of mental health that I expect to see in the oncology department will be
depression, considering the situation many patients may be in.
4. What bias (or preconceived ideas) might you have about the location you will be
visiting?
I feel that a preconceived idea I may have about SRMH is that a majority of their patients
are from the homeless community.
5. Please do some brief research on your location. Cite your sources as you look for
information on their mission statement, stated services and clientele supported.
Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital is “home to the region’s Level II Trauma Center that
serves the entire Coastal Valleys area, including Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake
counties, as well as coastal Marin county,”(stjoesonoma.org).

Observe:
During your FIRST visit​:
- Take a look at your surroundings and read them as if close reading a text.
- Pay attention to sensory details: signs posted, languages you hear, colors of the offices
and uniforms. Does your location have a certain smell or feel? What sounds do you
hear? Etc.
- Try to take notice of your reactions to different things and why.
- Ask questions.
 - Jot down notes as your fieldwork is happening or upon arrival back at school.

During any subsequent visits​: In addition to the above, dig deeper:

- Look for connections between the careers/services you are exploring and issues in
mental health.
- Ask questions of the industry people you encounter relating to these.
- Jot down notes as your fieldwork is happening or upon arrival back at school.

Reflect:
After your return from shadowing each day, take a few minutes to reflect and answer the
following questions.
1. Describe a few specific highlights or observations from each day and a lesson
(big or small) you took away from each. Consider lessons that may be taken away
from negative experiences or challenges in your day as well as positive ones.
While I was unable to shadow a doctor and witness any procedures revolving around
chemotherapy or radiation, I was still able to see how the oncology ward functions. The nurse I
shadowed did a lot of paperwork, and when I say a lot, I mean that most of my time that day
was spent watching her input information into a computer. Just before the end of my shadowing
experience, I was able to witness an IV being inserted, which was equal parts interesting and
equal parts gross.
2. A. After your first visit: How did the experience meet, exceed, or fall short of your
expectations? How does this inform your expectations or preparation for your
next visit? What can you do to enhance your experience next time, if applicable?
I was expecting maybe some more action, maybe even some drama, but I realized that
this trip isn’t Grey’s Anatomy, and the success of the ward relies heavily on
communication. However, I did realize that working in oncology in my future probably
isn’t for me, I need to work in a place with more action.