Being confined long-term to a hospital bed can be lonely and isolating, but a group of volunteers led by an Emmy Award nominee is trying to improve that experience for patients and doctors alike.
Barbara Martinkosky, director of occupational and physical therapy at UNC Hospitals, was inspired by Julie Heifetz, an Emmy-nominated writer, at a conference and enlisted her help to start the Vital Patients Stories program at the hospital.
The program, which is already in place at other hospitals across the country, pairs volunteers with long-term patients.
Volunteers and patients get to know each other, and the volunteer translates that experience into a story to capture something about the patient, Martinkosky said.
"A volunteer could really sit and talk to patients and will really learn some very helpful and interesting things," she said.
The short biography is given to patients and is placed in their permanent medical files for doctors to read.
The program will benefit patients and allow student volunteers to sharpen their writing skills. But Martinkosky said she also hopes it will remind health care providers why they initially entered the field and allow them to connect with their patients as human beings.
William Andrews, an English professor at UNC, found out about the program from Martinkosky and helped encourage students - especially those interested in English or writing - to apply.
"I think it gives students a chance to use their skills and develop their skills," he said. "It's a practical way to take that training and use it."
