3 weeks of pediatrics over and time to move to O&G
And the change is indeed drastic. No cute kids to play around with and everyone is so serious as if there is a tsunami coming close! I guess it is because of the pressure that obstetricians have to face on a daily basis.
Well, I guess my first day was not too bad, even though nothing much excited happened.
I woke up early and made myself some breakfast but strangely enough I fell back asleep and woke up at 7.45 am! I was planning to leave my house at this time...sigh
Well luckily the rush of adrenaline allowed me to take one of those 2 minutes showers and to get ready in 3 minutes!
I arrived a little bit late at handover rounds for my first day! urgh but I guess no one really noticed... We, medical students, always seem to be invisible most of the time.
Handover rounds were followed by ward rounds, which was well nothing special. There was a few patients with heart conditions who were closely being monitored and we stood behind as the specialist reviewed the patients.
Next, we were told that there was a suturing workshop and that we should attend. Suturing! Yay!
That was interesting indeed as it allowed me to review the basic suturing and knot tying techniques :)
Simple first day indeed!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Peads On Call
Who ever said that on calls were boring? (Hmm alright, maybe I did mention it a few times)
Well not today. My friend and I were looking at an X-ray that was handed to us by the specialist on call. She originally wanted to show us how far the umbilical vein catheter has gone in.
On looking at the X-ray, my friend pointed out to the left side of the chest and said 'Hey what's that?'
'Looks like the bowels' I said
'Err diaphragmatic hernia?' he replied back
Yes indeed, it turned out that the patient was referred to the surgical pediatric team to rule out a diaphragmatic hernia!
It was indeed interesting to see a patient with such a condition.
Well not today. My friend and I were looking at an X-ray that was handed to us by the specialist on call. She originally wanted to show us how far the umbilical vein catheter has gone in.
On looking at the X-ray, my friend pointed out to the left side of the chest and said 'Hey what's that?'
'Looks like the bowels' I said
'Err diaphragmatic hernia?' he replied back
Yes indeed, it turned out that the patient was referred to the surgical pediatric team to rule out a diaphragmatic hernia!
It was indeed interesting to see a patient with such a condition.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Bedside manners
It is alarming how rude doctors can be to patients! Yes I have definitely witnessed it with my own eyes for the past two years. Some doctors just lack bedside manners!
I’ve seen patients getting scolded when they complained of pain and I’ve seen patients being disrespected when they refused medical treatment.
I often wonder: what is the use of being a smart doctor who can diagnose any diseases but who lack compassion? I think that being nice and respectful to patients is the most important part of patients’ care. Yes, knowledge is important, but being respectful and having good bedside manner are even more important.
The following extract is from an article written by Dr Centor about bedside manners.
‘Most physicians understand that good medical care involves both science and art, and one cannot easily separate the right-brain activities from the left-brain activities when providing patient care. Excellent physicians develop a relationship with the patient. They engender trust through their approach. The physician-patient relationship is special, because patients come to us in vulnerable situations. They depend on us to make diagnoses and prescribe treatments, but they also depend on us to help them make good decisions about managing their problems.’
(http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/737495?src=mp&spon=25)
I couldn’t have described it any better. A good doctor-patient relationship is essential to good patient’s care.
I hope that future doctors will remember that medicine is indeed a noble profession and that they be respectful to patients.
I’ve seen patients getting scolded when they complained of pain and I’ve seen patients being disrespected when they refused medical treatment.
I often wonder: what is the use of being a smart doctor who can diagnose any diseases but who lack compassion? I think that being nice and respectful to patients is the most important part of patients’ care. Yes, knowledge is important, but being respectful and having good bedside manner are even more important.
The following extract is from an article written by Dr Centor about bedside manners.
‘Most physicians understand that good medical care involves both science and art, and one cannot easily separate the right-brain activities from the left-brain activities when providing patient care. Excellent physicians develop a relationship with the patient. They engender trust through their approach. The physician-patient relationship is special, because patients come to us in vulnerable situations. They depend on us to make diagnoses and prescribe treatments, but they also depend on us to help them make good decisions about managing their problems.’
(http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/737495?src=mp&spon=25)
I couldn’t have described it any better. A good doctor-patient relationship is essential to good patient’s care.
I hope that future doctors will remember that medicine is indeed a noble profession and that they be respectful to patients.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tunnel Vision
During the ward rounds today, the Head of department of surgery said something that I thought was very interesting.
Mr. AR is a patient who has been in the wards for around 2 months. He has had extensive burns over his lower limbs after a seizure. We grew used to the sight of this frail looking man over the past few weeks and today, the consultant reminded us not to have a tunnel vision.
By tunnel vision, he meant that at times, doctors are so used to see a patient with a known diagnosis that they often forget to look at the other issues that the patient might have. In this case, he was actually worried that the patient might be suffering from malnutrition as the catabolism rate increases in patients with extensive burns.
Indeed, this is something I would not have thought of. And another lesson learnt!
Mr. AR is a patient who has been in the wards for around 2 months. He has had extensive burns over his lower limbs after a seizure. We grew used to the sight of this frail looking man over the past few weeks and today, the consultant reminded us not to have a tunnel vision.
By tunnel vision, he meant that at times, doctors are so used to see a patient with a known diagnosis that they often forget to look at the other issues that the patient might have. In this case, he was actually worried that the patient might be suffering from malnutrition as the catabolism rate increases in patients with extensive burns.
Indeed, this is something I would not have thought of. And another lesson learnt!
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