This learning activity is designed to help you gain insights into yourself and also into key socio-medical constructs that are the foundation for health and illness. Before you begin, be sure to complete the readings for this module.


For this activity, you will have the opportunity to talk to a health care practitioner and reflect on the event after the experience. The reflection (your thoughts about the experience) is noted in the online journal you began in Module 1. Remember: Your journal is accessible only to you and to me. There is no public viewing; I will not share any personal information with classmates. However, in discussion, I may discuss aggregate views or trends if they become apparent.

Your role in this activity is to:
1.Interview one of the following healthcare professionals: a physician, nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), physical therapist, occupational therapist, or another allied healthcare professional.
2.Ask this person to describe their role and responsibilities in the delivery of health care and to discuss how their role is different from that of the other two practitioners. For example, ask a PA the following questions: 1) Please describe your role and responsibilities in the delivery of health care. 2) Please tell me how your role is different from that of a physician and a nurse practitioner. 3) Please talk to me about what it is like to work as a team with other healthcare professionals and any challenges that arise.
3.As you engage, reflect on the interaction taking place.
4.Think about your own perceptions in this regard.
5.Create a journal entry in written responding to questions on the Module 5 Observation and Reflection [file size 134 KB] form.
6.Submit the reflective journal entry before participating in the discussion