Pioneering healthcare transformation: Nathan's E-nursing journey in Uganda

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, E-nursing weaves tangible results into the real day-to-day fabric of African communities. Baluku Nathan 's journey as an E-nurse at Healthy Entrepreneurs Uganda unfolds within a broader context, where organizations like Health Entrepreneurs (HE) collaborate with Village Health Teams (VHTs) to empower local communities. As an E-nurse, Nathan serves as the bridge between technology and grassroot healthcare, bringing essential information and products to the doorsteps of those in need. E-nursing stands as a transformative force in this scenario. In a country where the nurse/patient ratio is 1:11.000 and the doctor/patient ratio is 1:24.000, E-nursing is a way to bring professional healthcare to people in rural areas, who most likely will never encounter a nurse or medical doctor in their lifetime. The simple concept of allowing patients to talk free of charge with a nurse (after seeing one of our Community Health Workers), opens new avenues for healthcare professionals to connect with and support patients far away. Nathan, a dedicated E-nurse, shares his personal journey here, shedding light on the challenges and rewards that come with this innovative approach to healthcare. ?

MY EXPERIENCE AS AN E-NURSE

By Baluku Nathan

At first, I was a little nervous about making the transition from bedside care to a computer screen. I wasn't sure how I would connect with patients or provide the same level of care without being physically present, but as I settled into my new role, I quickly discovered that there are many benefits of being an E-nurse. E-nursing has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse group of patients from all over the country, and I have been able to use my nursing skills and knowledge to help patients with a wider range of medical needs; from managing chronic conditions to providing support during times of crisis.

One of the rewarding aspects of working as an E-nurse is the ability to provide support and reassurance to patients who may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed – many of the individuals who call our call center are seeking guidance on how to manage a new diagnosis or are concerned about a change in their health status – and successfully being able to offer support and guidance in these situations has been incredibly fulfilling.

The ability to use technology to gather information and provide care, (including using electronic medical records to access patient history and utilizing virtual resources such as video conferencing to connect with the patients and other healthcare professionals), has also enabled me to provide timely and accurate information to help patients make informed decisions about their health and seek appropriate care.

However, working from a remote call center also presents its own set of challenges, particularly in the need to quickly assess the patient’s situation and provide appropriate guidance from a distance. This requires effective communication skills as well as the ability to remain calm and composed and I have found that it is important to actively listen to the patient and ask clarifying questions to fully understand their concerns and needs. These techniques are vital to success, as the inability to physically examine a patient is a condition in this line of work.

As a result, we must rely on the patient's description of their symptoms and medical history to make informed decisions about their care, and this can be difficult at times – especially when the patient is unable to effectively communicate, or he/she is unable to provide all the necessary information. This is where the CHE on the ground, who has spent time with the patient, can assist.

A well-known fact from hospitals is also prevalent in the E-nursing world; the workload of multiple calls of patients that come in at once can be both stressful and time consuming as one must multitask and switch between tasks quickly and efficiently. This calls for E-nurses to be organized and be able to prioritize their tasks and manage time effectively.

In conclusion: Despite the lack of face-to-face contact with patients and the ever-present time restrictions on nursing work, E-nurses can still provide valuable care and support through electronic communication channels. Although they may not always be able to see or touch their patients, (which certainly can be a limitation when it comes to diagnosing and treating certain medical conditions), E-nurses who rely on good communication skills and clinical knowledge to provide care to patients remotely, can make a great difference to reshape the narrative of healthcare accessibility across the entire continent.