By Maya Hagan
Dr. Meg Zomorodi knows firsthand the dangers of inadequate healthcare training. She lost her mother due to a medical error, which fueled her mission to improve health care education. Now, as the associate provost for Interprofessional Health Initiatives at UNC Chapel Hill, she’s making a difference.
To fill the gaps in healthcare, she co-created Biology 119, a course designed for pre-health students to serve as hospital sitters. Launched in the fall of 2024, this program trains students to support patients and help relieve staffing pressures on hospitals.
Zomorodi’s personal experience with healthcare failure inspired her to take action. “My mom died from a healthcare error,” she shared. “Creating something that can potentially save another life feels like a full-circle moment for me.”
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for this initiative. A study revealed that around 100,000 nurses left the field during the crisis, with many more planning to exit by 2027. In response, Zomorodi’s course helps manage patient care effectively even amid staffing shortages.
This semester, 41 students are gaining hands-on experience as patient sitters. Their role is crucial, especially for patients who need assistance, like older adults with cognitive decline. “I hope to expand this program beyond just UNC,” Zomorodi expressed.
Training is intensive. In the first two weeks, students receive CPR certification, crisis intervention training, and learn other essential clinical skills like phlebotomy. They are also taught about safety protocols, ensuring a secure environment for both staff and patients.
Michele Ream, a registered nurse involved in teaching, emphasized the importance of this training. “It’s about keeping both the patients and the sitters safe,” she said.
Students also complete 24 hours of observation alongside a trained sitter, learning to navigate real-world situations. They discuss challenges in weekly meetings, focusing on communication skills and how their experiences relate to their future careers.
“We guide them on how to show empathy,” Zomorodi noted. “Understanding how to interact can make a difference for confused patients.”
To ensure their visibility, students wear red scrubs and carry whistles for emergencies. They are trained to alert staff by pressing a code blue button if needed, a procedure that has previously saved lives.
So far, the program has successfully placed 15 of its 26 pilot participants in hospital roles. However, there’s still some concern about where these student sitters operate within the hospital.
Raygan Hawkins, a UNC student and certified nursing assistant, believes there should be clear boundaries. She suggests that student sitters focus on lower-acuity roles, helping in areas like nursing homes.
Justin Gettings, an assistant professor and doctor at UNC, agrees. “Sitters can be valuable, especially with patients who may wander or need reassurance,” he said. He emphasizes that it’s vital for sitters to understand their limits in healthcare.
Zomorodi reassured that student sitters do not engage in psychiatric roles or care for other students or staff. As she considers expanding the program, fellows like Hawkins stress the importance of maintaining training standards, especially in crisis management.
The skills gained in this course boost students’ confidence in pursuing medical careers. Mallory Tadlock, a former student sitter, found the training modules helpful for real-life scenarios, which eased her anxiety about working in healthcare.
Zomorodi envisions extending the program to rural areas, where many students seek healthcare careers. She aims to collaborate with institutions like UNC Pembroke and UNC Wilmington to spread this initiative further.
The feedback from students indicates this program could significantly improve health care experiences for both patients and students. “If you can handle patient sitting, you can handle a lot,” Zomorodi concluded.
UNC Media Hub is a group of students from various fields at UNC Chapel Hill, working together to create impactful media stories across North Carolina.
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