Today was focused on exploring healthcare in a new setting, offering a closer look at how hospitals in Spain operate and how patient care is approached in a different system.
We took a bus straight to Hospital Gorliz, and the location stood out. Located along the coast near Gorliz, the hospital sits right by the beach. The setting felt calm and intentional, being so close to the ocean and nature made it easy to see how the location itself could play a role in improving patient well-being and overall experience.
The visit began with an overview of the hospital’s history. A major takeaway during this introduction was learning about the healthcare system in Spain. Healthcare is free for everyone, so everyone has access to care without the same financial barriers that exist in the United States. This was surprising to hear, especially considering how in the U.S., some people avoid going to the emergency room simply because they cannot afford it.
We first toured the Oreka Balance project and got to see it in action. It was interesting to learn what the system actually does beyond just hearing about it in a presentation. The device measures and analyzes a patient’s balance and movement, collecting detailed data that can be used to track progress over time. After that, we visited one of the main patient floors. Our tour guide was very thorough and walked us through every part of the space, from patient rooms to bathrooms to the nurses’ lounge. One thing that stood out was how organized everything was, especially in terms of tracking patient schedules and daily care. We then moved to the rehabilitation wing, where we saw a variety of devices used to support recovery. Patients were actively working with therapists, using equipment designed to assist with movement, strength, and coordination.
After finishing at the hospital, we went to a nearby town for lunch before taking the metro back to the hotel and heading out again later for dinner which ended the day.
