Week of June 6th - Session 4

What have you learned about how rural health is defined thus far?

Little did I know, the term "rural" actually has a very specific definition regarding population density. There are 2,500 people living in a certain area according to the federal government's definition. The ratio of persons per square mile is very important.

What have you learned about the public health system of NC?

North Carolina has a variety of rural and urban areas based on population density. Public health is needed for prevention and maintenance of the state's general health. Vaccination, health education, child and maternal health, and immunization programs help to accomplish this.

What have you learned about the county you have researched?

One very important concept is that cancer is the leading cause of death in Craven County. This is certainly an issue that will need to be addressed. It is also clear the Craven County is rural and slightly underdeveloped. They lack a lot of the health care means needed to maintain appropriate health status.

Why is working as a team important to your career in HIM?

Working as a team is essential in order to accomplish what needs to be accomplished efficiently and effectively. When people work as a team, they are able to complete task more quickly. The quality of work put out by teams in general is "better". Working as a team will assure quality and progress.

What have you learned through this first exercise that will help in you in your role of HIM?

I have learned the importance of addressing only the most important issues at hand. In any case, numerous problems may be present. It is practically impossible to fix all of these problems. Therefore, it is essential to focus on the gravest of topics and work on them in depth. I have also learned that it is vital to research any topic before diving into it. By being more familiar with a topic, one can better work on the issues found.

How was this exercise related to the role of HIM as a part of an interdisciplinary team (if you were an actual member of the Health Department)?

It shows how important it is to have so-called "partners" when working on a project. For instance, in work ing with the issue of smoking cessation in Craven County, it is vital to have supporting partners such as the education system, health care facilities, restaurants, etc. By getting others involved, there is more support for the project and, in turn, a better chance of success.