Enhancing patient experiences through a work term at the hospital
Sarah Bayrakdarian is a third-year Public Health student in the Faculty of Health. She discusses her recent co-op term at Sunnybrook Hospital.
Sarah's co-op journey
Work term one: In her first work term, Sarah was employed by Peel Region Public Health as a data analyst. She had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with a diverse team of doctors, nurses and government officials to help launch the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Brampton School of Medicine program.
Work term two: Currently, Sarah is working as a clinical research assistant at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Center. She discusses this experience in depth below.
Q&A with Sarah
What did you take away from your time at Peel Region Public Health?
“This experience taught me invaluable lessons about teamwork and the importance of cross-sector collaboration in public health initiatives. I learned how vital it is to listen to community needs and incorporate their voices into program development. Engaging with various stakeholders helped me appreciate the complexities of healthcare delivery and the importance of building trust within communities. Most importantly, it reinforced the idea that behind every statistic is a person—each with their own unique story to tell.”
“I also had the opportunity to complete the charge nurse evaluation and contribute to the Peel Black Social Services, Community Safety and Well-Being Fund and the Building Safer Communities Fund.”
What are your responsibilities in the workplace and what does your work entail?
“In my current role, I am responsible for enrolling patients in ongoing clinical trials which include StrataXRT and prospective retreatment study, among others. I manage patient data and prepare documentation for the research ethics board to approve, to ensure compliance with ethical standards.”
“Additionally, I write research papers and manuscripts to contribute to the body of knowledge in this field. My work also involves gaining clinical experience by shadowing physicians, which allows me to observe patient care firsthand. I conduct telephone follow-ups with patients to monitor their progress and gather feedback.”
What has been the highlight of your current work term?
"The highlight of my current work term has been the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the patient experience. Engaging directly with patients has given me the opportunity to see their perspectives and challenges firsthand. I understand how to navigate their needs and expectations more effectively by recognizing that each interaction is an opportunity to enhance the patient experience.”
How do you think this experience has helped you develop yourself?
"This co-op experience has significantly enhanced my professional development, particularly in organizational and multi-tasking skills. Working in a hospital requires quick decision-making and adaptability; each day presents new challenges.”
“Creating structured systems has improved my productivity, while also growing my communication skills through collaboration with diverse teams and interactions with patients.”
How did you overcome challenges during this work term?
“During this work term, I faced several challenges which turned out to be key lessons. The first key lesson I learned is the importance of not being shy and asking for help when needed. In a dynamic environment like a hospital, it’s crucial to recognize that seeking assistance is a strength, not a weakness.”
“Another major lesson learned was to work on building my confidence in tackling unfamiliar tasks. Instead of viewing challenges at a superficial level, I learned to analyze them at a deeper level. This involved breaking tasks down into smaller components and identifying the underlying issues.”
“Finally, I practiced looking for solutions before asking for help. Instead of immediately turning to others, I would first try to gather information and understand the context of a problem. This approach not only enhanced my problem-solving skills but also showed my colleagues that I was committed to finding solutions independently.”
What’s next for you?
“What's next for me is an exciting adventure! I’m excited about the possibility of attending the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) conference in 2025 in Seattle, where I can share my findings from our studies—my scientific debut on a big stage! As I am in the third year of my undergraduate journey, I am looking into applying to post-graduate school and potentially pursuing a master's in public health. I’m getting my applications ready for medical school.”
“Last but not least, I can’t forget to mention how excited I am to come back to Waterloo in the winter 2025 term for my academic term! I really miss my Waterloo friends who have turned into family. I look forward to sharing our co-op experiences together and creating new adventures.”