Health Histories for Homework

Here's another that's been keeping me busy:

Part of my homework assignment from my first weekend at IIN was to complete four health history (HH) consultations before the next class (Dec 10-11). I had been concerned about how to go about taking these histories because I don't come into a lot of contact with "real" people throughout my day. I clean my house and play with my cats and do grocery shopping and all of that, but I don't interact with many people outside of the various online communities I'm involved with and the people I might play catch up with over the phone.

So it was suggested to me that I might exchange HHs with other students. This seems easy until you realise how difficult it is to pin down appointments with people. Especially people who don't seem as into it as you are. A few people have complained on the IIN online community about how no one will exchange with them. I don't know about that. I have emailed most of the people who showed interest, detailing my availability and asking for theirs. If they don't pick up the ball and follow up, it's their loss I'm afraid to say.

Inspired by all of that, I emailed a selection of friends and asked if they were willing to get involved. If they answered yes, I sent them the form and asked them to fill it in and return it to me. Then I asked for their availability for talking about it. It's a really great thing to do because it gives the "client" time for themself. Time to sit and breathe and discuss the things that concern them. And it's all about them. The consultation can take up to an hour, and will always be free. We have been advised not to take anyone on as actual clients until a few more weeks into the program, but after that the consultation process is free and the follow up sessions cost a certain amount a month, assuming the client feels that they want to further their work.

And so, my weeks and weekends have been busy, full of calls and consultations. I have averaged about five of these a week. It's surprising to me how tired I have been at the end of them, however. I suppose I haven't engaged my mind as much in a long time!