Today was a day dedicated primarily to hands-on skill labs, which made it a very different experience compared to the lecture-based days we’ve had so far. Instead of sitting and listening, we were actively involved in practising real healthcare techniques, which made the day feel much more engaging and immersive.
We began the day by checking out the university’s simulation ambulance, which is designed to match the ambulances used in the West Midlands region. It was essentially a one-to-one replica, giving us a very realistic idea of what emergency responders work with on a daily basis. While nothing in particular stood out as surprising in terms of layout, it was still interesting to step inside and see how compact and functional everything is. It helped reinforce how important efficiency and organisation must be in emergency situations, where every second matters.
After that, we moved into learning about catheters and the situations in which they are used. These included patients with kidney issues, infections, paralysis, during labour, and for various diagnostic purposes. We watched two instructional videos demonstrating how to insert catheters for both male and female patients. The videos walked through the process step by step, which made it easier to understand what was happening. When it came time to practise, I found it easier than I expected. While I was interested in learning the process, I also recognise that this is something I will likely never need to use in my own career path. Still, it was valuable to understand the procedure and the role it plays in patient care.
Next, we learned about NG tubes and other types of feeding tubes. These are used for patients who are unable to eat in a traditional way due to various medical conditions. This section was interesting because it highlighted another way healthcare providers support patients’ basic needs when normal functions are not possible. It also reinforced how many different methods exist in healthcare to maintain a patient’s health and wellbeing.
We then had a brief lunch break, where I had cheddar cauliflower soup. The atmosphere during lunch was relaxed, which provided a nice break from the more technical aspects of the morning. The soup itself was somewhat bland, but it was still a decent and filling option before heading back into the labs.
After lunch, we focused on wound care, which was one of the more hands-on and practical parts of the day. We learned about various methods used to treat wounds, including sutures, staples, and adhesive strips. Each method is used depending on the type and severity of the wound, with sutures being more common for deeper or more serious injuries. Before practising, Chinenye demonstrated each technique step by step, which made it much easier to follow along and understand what we were doing. When it came time to practise ourselves, it went pretty well overall. Having seen the demonstration beforehand definitely helped build confidence and made the process feel more manageable.
One of the more unusual topics we covered was maggot therapy. This initially sounded somewhat unpleasant, and my first reaction was definitely a bit of disgust. However, we learned that it can actually be an effective method for wound healing. The maggots are typically kept in a small bag placed in the wound for three to four days, where they secrete enzymes that help clean out dead tissue and promote healing. While it still seems strange, it was interesting to learn about and shows how creative and varied medical treatments can be.
We ended the day by practising wound dressing, applying what we had learned in a more complete and practical way. This tied together the earlier wound care techniques and gave us a better understanding of how everything fits into real patient treatment.
Overall, today was much more hands-on than previous days, which made it stand out. Instead of just hearing about medical practices, we were able to try them ourselves, which made the learning experience more engaging and memorable. Even though I am an early childhood education major and do not plan to go into the medical field, I still found value in the experience. It gave me a greater appreciation for the complexity of healthcare and the level of skill and care required in these roles.
Days like this also highlight the importance of experiential learning. Being able to actively participate rather than just observe helps reinforce understanding in a way that lectures alone cannot. While some parts of the day were outside of my comfort zone, especially topics like maggot therapy, it was still a very worthwhile experience.
Overall, this was a unique and engaging day that provided a deeper look into the practical side of healthcare, and it was interesting to step outside of my own field and try something completely different.