Different Lenses - G3, 2025MH

Description

A team of interprofessional students gathers for a hospital debrief after planning care for Elaine, a 67-year-old patient with complex medical and social needs. Elaine has been admitted with chronic leg ulcers, poorly managed diabetes, and repeated falls. Complicating her care are untreated depression, early cognitive decline, and an impending eviction that will leave her homeless. With no family support and limited community connections, Elaine’s case exposes the fragile intersection between health, housing, and mental well-being. During the debrief, tensions erupt. Faria and Bright, nursing students, advocate for prioritizing wound care and medication management to prevent further deterioration. Dean and Glory, studying social work, argue that without stable housing and mental health support, any medical intervention will fall short. Christopher, from occupational health and safety, raises critical concerns about discharge planning and environmental risks if Elaine returns to an unsafe setting. As professional perspectives clash, communication breaks down and emotions run high. Through conflict, frustration, and eventually reflection, the team must reorient themselves toward collaborative, patient-centered care. Their exchange reveals the challenges of interprofessional work, the emotional labor of healthcare, and the importance of mutual respect in building holistic solutions for society’s most vulnerable.