World Spine Care Volunteers: Where Are They Now?
Meet Nadine Harrison, former Clinical Supervisor in Botswana from April 2016 - May 2017. World Spine Care caught up with Nadine recently to learn more about what she is up to, and to learn more about how her experience working in a World Spine Care clinic have impacted her career.
Nadine Harrison treats a patient while volunteering at the World Spine Care clinic in Botswana.
WSC: Thanks for sitting down with us, Nadine. It’s nice to catch up with you! Tell us about what you are up to now.
NH: I now work in Oxford, UK, currently in a multidisciplinary clinic. I enjoy the autonomy I have as a clinician but also the working relationships (and friendships) available to me working alongside other health care professionals. I have recently begun a Diploma in Pain Management; something I’ve been interested in since my return from working in Botswana with World Spine Care (WSC). I find the nature of chronic pain, and its management, very interesting and rewarding.
WSC: Sounds exciting! Congratulations. Can you tell us, what were the key things you learned from your experience working in Botswana?
NH: Working with WSC in Botswana taught me so much: patience, inquisitiveness, resilience, leadership, teamwork, communication skills… I would encapsulate the whole experience as being one that taught me to strive to be an adaptable individual and clinician. No two patients are the same, each has their own unique needs, beliefs, resources, and abilities and must be treated on an individual basis. As clinicians we too, have a wealth of different experiences and expertise. We can help patients far more when we work together.
WSC: How did your experience with WSC help you to become a better clinician and/or a better chiropractor?
NH: I really strive to continue with this skill of adaptability in my work now. I also feel as health professionals we have so much more to offer than just our hands-on skills. Equipping people to be empowered to keep themselves fit and well is so important. I have a strong focus on exercise and keeping people active, as well as incorporating things like relaxing breathing exercises that I learned from the WSC yoga project, and encouraging other healthy behaviours, like reducing smoking, and making healthy food choices.
WSC: Thank you, Nadine, for sharing some of your thoughts on the Volunteer Experience!
Learn more about volunteering with WSC here.
