Author: afzal

This week has seen the celebration of the World Health Day. What a great opportunity to pay tribute to people working in the health sector, especially in this global health crisis era. However, as tributes have been paid across the globe to medical staff, we would like to highlight the role of our non-medical staff as well, so essential to the clinic’s smooth running.

Have you ever wondered why some people choose a health sector career? Salary or job security maybe? Not at all, according to some of Clinique Bon Pasteur’s staff members, who all agree on one thing. “It is a vocation, which can only be done if one likes this work, and above all, if one likes taking care of others,” says Michael L’Eveillé, Clinique Bon Pasteur’s Medical Supervisor. Thierry Fanchette, IT Manager at the clinic, agrees “It really is a vocation, even if it means taking risks, especially in this Covid era. You need to like what you have to do here”. Same thing for Frédéric Jean-Louis, Accounts Clerk at the clinic: “For me, it’s like working in the humanitarian field. I worked for several years in an NGO before joining Clinique Bon Pasteur”.

Patricia Ducray, Debt Collector at the clinic, goes even further. According to her, it is not just a matter of working in the health sector, but specifically at Clinique Bon Pasteur: “It is a family clinic, and there is a special bonding between members of the staff “. Her colleagues who have to work on site are actually on her mind every single day, as they are exposing themselves while working: “The management of the clinic allows some of us to work from home, and I am lucky to be one of them.” Frédéric Jean-Louis is also grateful to the clinic for allowing this: “Some of us help our colleagues remotely to move the work forward while working from home”.

Throughout their career at Clinique Bon Pasteur, our colleagues have lived different experiences, having been deeply moved by some of them. For Patricia Ducray, the pain associated with the death of a patient is always hard, but she is also overwhelmed with joy for every new born at the clinic. As for Michael L’Eveillé, he always draws his energy from situations like a smiling recovered patient who leaves the clinic after having been admitted a couple of days before in a semi-comatose state.

What is striking is the collaboration between colleagues within different departments. Staff members are regularly helping each other, facing challenges together, and developing other skills at the same time. Beyond his IT responsibilities, Thierry Fanchette also helps with accounting, especially for payroll. He also tries, as a supervisor, to provide psychological support to his colleagues in this health crisis era, to show that the management is there to support the staff. As for Michael L’Eveillé, he is facing a new situation these days, namely that of comforting patients who come to the clinic, not only with a clinical need, but also with an anxiety related to the risk of a Covid exposure. He sees himself as being more active in morally supporting patients these days, specifically with regards to this Covid related anxiety. And a memorable situation for Fréderic Jean-Louis is undoubtedly the day he had to leave his ledger book to support colleagues who were assisting a woman giving birth to her child in a vehicle in the clinic’s parking lot, the baby being undoubtedly in a real hurry to see the light of day!

But the most beautiful words from one of our interviewees, the most appropriate summary and conclusion to this glimpse into health-related professions come from Michael l’Eveillé: “In this profession, we are here to take care of people, and above all, the human touch is the most important thing ”, in line with the true values of Clinique Bon Pasteur!

The World Secretaries Day has been celebrated in the United States for 70 years now. Historically, it has been celebrated as from the 1950s because of a shortage of qualified administrative staff in the post-war era. It aims at recognising the contribution of secretaries to the economy and attracting the labour force in this area. What a great opportunity to learn more about it with Francine Fanchette, who has been working in this field at Clinique Bon Pasteur for 26 years now.

Responsable d’Accueil since 2020 at Clinique Bon Pasteur, Francine Fanchette has gradually worked her way up as from 1995 when she started as a receptionist. Since then, she has persevered and studied to become, over the years, secretary and then Responsable d’Accueil. She draws her success on the one hand from her perseverance, and on the other hand from the fact that she has always been empowered by the management, including by getting necessary training. She already knew however that she wanted to build her career in this field, and took typing lessons when she was … 13 years old. After taking a position at Clinique Bon Pasteur, she completed a secretarial management course, thanks to the Clinic’s support.

In a nutshell, what is the responsibility of the Responsable d’Accueil at Clinique Bon Pasteur today? “My role is to make sure that a room and a time slot is available for all doctors, so that we can organise their appointments for them to see their patients. I also act as a bridge between the doctors and the Clinic’s management. In addition, I work with the reception team, listening to each member, motivating them, and finding solutions to problems together”. Francine Fanchette also sits on a panel at the Clinic, where she works on immigration medical files for the Canadian consulate.

In her 26-year career, she has witnessed many changes at Clinique Bon Pasteur, especially in the technological era when files began to be computerised, a change to which she was fiercely opposed at that time. However, today she finds it very useful that all medical appointments are handled on an online system, as it makes the job so much more effective.

And what’s the secret to finding the motivation to go to work during all these years, and especially in this Covid era? “I am a jolly person, and I always try to find the best out of the worst situations.” The Responsable d’Accueil draws her motivation from this motto, especially since it is extremely important to be able to keep a cheerful mood and go to work during the Covid lockdown. “We have to motivate the team, because other people need us, and that’s our job!”

And the last word? “I love my job at the Clinic, and I know this place like the back of my hand. I have worked for the company for so long that I became part of the furniture, as this idiom says. But my collaboration with Clinique Bon Pasteur is even older than a lot of furniture that we now have at the Clinic “she relates humorously!

If you need to make an appointment at Clinique Bon Pasteur, feel free to call on the 401-9500, and if you happen to bump into her, and she will be happy to welcome you with her humility and contagious humour!

This month we are diving into some aspects of the laboratory within Clinique Bon Pasteur’s premises, the RozarMedicalLaboratory Centre. It has been over twenty years that the laboratory has been established there, and regularly performs nearly all required medical tests.

As we know that our patients often have questions about medical check-ups, we spoke with José Rozar, director of the laboratory, who walks us through some specifics about the laboratory.

When should we undergo a medical check-up?
At the RozarMedicalLaboratory Centre, it is recommended that you first see your General Practitioner, who will be able to advise you on targeted check-ups required based on your general health. Also, if you have a specialist who is treating you for a specific disease, the latter will know when and why to channel you to the laboratory for specific tests. It is therefore not advisable to go to the laboratory for blood tests without seeing your doctor first.

And what can we learn from a blood test?
“Everything and nothing at all” says José Rozar. We can indeed detect anemia, or a disease that dates back to your birth, or the tests can establish that you are in perfect health. “The most common health issues that are detected at the laboratory are diabetes, anemia in some women, or cases of hypercholesterolemia” However, it is good to know that a blood test does not necessarily reveal all types of abnormalities . Brain cancer or yeast infection, for example, will not necessarily be detected through a blood test.
Complementarity of the laboratory technician and your physician
José Rozar reminds us that “tests do not work alone, as it is the role of the referring physician to interpret these results for you.” Your general practitioner or specialist has an overview of your medical history, and sometimes that of your family. It will therefore be up to him/her to interpret these results, explain them to you, and prescribe any treatment that may be necessary following this medical check-up.” It is important that a lab technician does not take on the role of the doctor, and interpret these results for the patient”.

When to have a blood test?
If you have an existing pathology and you already have a medical follow-up regarding this, there sometimes are regular tests that your doctor will be prescribing. Otherwise, it is generally recommended to have a blood test once a year as from the age of 35.

 

Thus, if you are not feeling very well, or if you just want to get a general check-up, no need to rush to the lab. Instead, you should consider making an appointment with your doctor first. You will then go to the laboratory for a check-up, where you will meet José Rozar and his team for the required check-ups.
Appointments for medical visits or for laboratory tests at Clinique Bon Pasteur can be made on 401 9500.