The other day I sat in one of the mandatory supervision, it’s more a paperwork exercise but is a requirement of those who oversee health care here in Wales. From a personal point of view it’s a pointless exercise and simply wastes my time as only a first class idiot would wait till an enforced mandatory meeting to bring up concerns especially in regard to patient care and work practices.
So one of the questions that has to be covered is what do you feel you’ve achieved since the last supervision? My answer stopped the conversation with a puzzled look, your joking? No! My answer had been frank, “Not telling you to shove the job”. And yes I did get it written down on the form so yes it will be discussed in three months time which is the required time between each supervised practice.
Would I wait three months to raise an issue?
Yes that’s also one of the questions, surely if it was an issue who in their right mind would wait till a supervision date? A point I make each and every supervision have I called you or discussed any concerns because if there is one you will certainly know about it.
For me there are forms, and there are forms; useful forms and forms for those who simply like forms; some forms are open to abuse simply by design. The real point of the supervision form is to show how happy we all are and that client care is being met, mandatory course work done, act.
One question always however baffles me and I give the same stock answer, “Don’t ask me I don’t know!” The question is simply along the lines of are your client’s happy with the standard of care provision you are giving? Of course I can give the correct answer “yes because….” but in reality I could believe I’m giving the best and meeting all the needs of my clients when they could be in anxiety or stressed because the reality is more that they feel I’m not, too aggressive or uncaring. The fact they miss me when I’m off would suggest otherwise, maybe?
For me it would be better to feed back to me the feeling’s of those who receive health care provision from me, and if there is a problem this allows a more informative discussion; it could also highlight a need for training within a particular area, or even suitability in doing the job.
However the reality is that no one wants to hear any negativity, especially if directed at them; however sometimes these hard discussions can prove more productive; surrounding oneself with people who always agrees with you does massage the false ego. Yes I am the BEST and well you know it!
However I would be crazy to think that all supervision’s are like mine, there are those who will wait until supervision to bring up any concerns, the form at the end of being filled out will be different and the approach by the employer matching the individual. It’s an art to know how to deal with people as the needs are much different depending on the individual, and their perspective; my contempt for the form is born out by my answers and glazed look in my eye.
This appreciation of the individual also goes into care provision, some are compliant to the changes needed given their condition; some are non-compliant. Some accept that they have a condition and others remain in denial. So the approach has to be individualized, out-patient and follow up is never the same even if the condition is. There is also further people skills needed when working out in the community given that your in the person’s own home and personal space, especially if your dealing with a client who remains nu-compliant in medication, diet, exercise act.
This for me reminds me of how we should approach those who take up the path of bhakti, each has their own baggage, their own needs and desires along with approach. It’s easy to try to deal with each person as a collective but we see from Srila Prabhupada that outside of his requirements of his disciples to follow the four regulative principles and 16 rounds of japa, but then we see a more personal side understanding and encouraging his disciples allowing them to explore and expand.
It’s an art, means we need to take more time and develop a personal relationship with the person, this is good mentorship, the student understands the spiritual master and the spiritual master understands the student. We cannot develop a personal relationship with Sri Krishna without developing a personal relationship with devotee’s and we should encourage each one to shine.
Compliance in health care takes time, sometimes it’s instant other times it takes years, you learn how to take the person on an individual journey; this is an art learnt over many years working in health care and is something new members of the care team need to learn and it does. Otherwise frustration at all the time spent on individuals who continue to relapse due to the individuals situation.
We see relapse in those who start on the path of bhakti, old habits die hard and when problems arise it’s easy to return to a default setting; the line of least resistance normally absorbing oneself in material happiness rather than spiritual bliss. Being a good mentor means we accept that this is the way it goes, keep the door open, not condemn and encourage the individual to stick with it.
Relapse is expected in health care provisions, due to a variety of situations, the same as some fall down from a spiritual path is to be expected. But if we have developed a very personal relationship and developed trust then we can help over time rectify assist and help the individual.
So during the mandatory supervision they make sure for me it’s quick and takes up as little of my time, but know if I call into the office unexpectedly then some time is needed as this is when important. And when interviewing me for the job I told them my weakness is unnecessary forms and bureaucracy something they remain aware of.
So for me one of the greatest assets is studying Srila Prabhupada and the way he dealt with his disciples, this is the way we should deal with those who take up the path of bhakti; but I’ve personally found it helpful in my dealings with others in my health care job.
In conclusion I remain always humbled by what can be learnt about oneself, others and how to truly mentor and help others within Srila Prabhupada’s actions and words; if we look, study and learn.
As we say to student nurses they will learn once in practice how to deal with others, it cannot be learnt in a class room; how to develop and encourage many in bhakti cannot be learnt doing this or that course but from our dealings with others and learning from well positioned seniors who’s selflessness simply inspires.
Hare Krishna.
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By Kesava Krsna Dasa
By Radhanath Swami
By Ganesh das
