There comes a time in every medical students life, where they have to suck it up and put a finger in another mans bottom. This was my week. Odd experience. You sit down, explain to them why you need to do it, and what is involved. And then... yeah. It wasn't a bad or traumatic experience, in fact I would describe it as extremely educational. But exceptionally out of the norm.
The strange thing is, the kindly male volunteer has done this many times before. But sits there pretending he has never heard or experienced what you are telling him. Meanwhile, you're sitting there pretending to be an expert in the technique, telling them what to expect, when in reality... You've never done this before and have no idea what to expect! It's a very odd scenario!
Anyway, it turns out the rectal exam is extremely useful, not just for checking peoples prostates. It seems to be a good way to yield a lot of clinically useful information, especially with regard to unexplained blood loss and cancer. Even though both parties are less than inclined to go there most of the time. To paraphrase Talley "the only reason you shouldn't be doing a DRE, is if the doctor has no fingers, or the patient has no rectum."
So there you go, as you get older, it's just another one of those things you have to look forward to. But much like christmas, probably better to be the giver rather than receiver... Maybe. It's just generally weird.
And thus my 4 week intensive of the GIT system concludes. Now on to endocrine and reproductive, where more educational experiences no doubt await. Ummm Wooo?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Reporting in
Had a really long week at medical school. I'm not sure why, but somehow it got big on me. Consequently I feel very very tired. But, I guess compared to others I have nothing to complain about!
Still, there are a few reasons people often list for not wanting to go to medical school. One of them is working with dead people in order to learn anatomy. It's a confronting thing to do in many ways.
I remember this time last year, just wigging out at the notion of having to see a dead person. I was really nervous about it. I'm not sure why, but I'd never seen a body devoid of the essence that made it human before. But I sucked it up, and it was all fine.
So far in medical school the pracs with cadavers in are generally prosected already, and all you have to do is take a peek, see where that organ lies, or where that vessel goes. It's really helpful in that sense, but still similar to looking in a text book.
Alas though, recent evidence has shown that the best way to teach students is to actually have them perform dissection themselves. And what was once an elective has become mandatory. Without going in to too many details, my partner and I found ourselves face to face with a cadavar today. It was a strange experience.
One thinks one would feel rude about it, exploring somebodies body without them consenting to you personally. But you know they made a choice to be there... And then sooner or later you find yourself trying to tease two bits of body apart and you forget they used to be people. So many strange feelings!
But it was fascinating, and I've learnt so much. As we were working, the topic came up of what a privilege it is to be able to do this. Not many people in the world get to see the wonder of the body in all its magnificent glory like this. Our guy also has benefited greatly from medciine. He has a pacemaker still in him, his chest still had old staples holding his sternum together, and evidence of a central venous line.
So I can't help but wonder if that was anything to do with his compulsion to donate his body to science. I know I don't have a strong compulsion to do it, at least not now!
Incredible really. Incredible.
Still, there are a few reasons people often list for not wanting to go to medical school. One of them is working with dead people in order to learn anatomy. It's a confronting thing to do in many ways.
I remember this time last year, just wigging out at the notion of having to see a dead person. I was really nervous about it. I'm not sure why, but I'd never seen a body devoid of the essence that made it human before. But I sucked it up, and it was all fine.
So far in medical school the pracs with cadavers in are generally prosected already, and all you have to do is take a peek, see where that organ lies, or where that vessel goes. It's really helpful in that sense, but still similar to looking in a text book.
Alas though, recent evidence has shown that the best way to teach students is to actually have them perform dissection themselves. And what was once an elective has become mandatory. Without going in to too many details, my partner and I found ourselves face to face with a cadavar today. It was a strange experience.
One thinks one would feel rude about it, exploring somebodies body without them consenting to you personally. But you know they made a choice to be there... And then sooner or later you find yourself trying to tease two bits of body apart and you forget they used to be people. So many strange feelings!
But it was fascinating, and I've learnt so much. As we were working, the topic came up of what a privilege it is to be able to do this. Not many people in the world get to see the wonder of the body in all its magnificent glory like this. Our guy also has benefited greatly from medciine. He has a pacemaker still in him, his chest still had old staples holding his sternum together, and evidence of a central venous line.
So I can't help but wonder if that was anything to do with his compulsion to donate his body to science. I know I don't have a strong compulsion to do it, at least not now!
Incredible really. Incredible.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Reminders
It's funny. Sometimes I see things, hear things or read things that remind me that I am at such an early stage in my medical training. I've read some good blogs from doctors and students alike, that serve to freak me the hell out sufficiently to want to know more, and make me wonder if I'm cut out for it. And then there are other events... I saw a fellow student, looking mildly shell shocked after performing his first DRE. Groan... enough said. I hope I'm an alright doctor...
Meanwhile, I have some fun. The editor of Placebo was sufficiently desperate, that I was asked to submit something. So here you are, feel free to have an advanced copy.
How to be a stand out performer in PBL.
So you’ve made it to medical school! You’ve got the stethoscope your family gave you as a congratulatory present draped comfortably around your neck, and you’re ready to get down and do some pseudo-doctoring!
But easy there Tiger. Before you get down to saving some lives, you’ve got to go through this PBL lark. The rite of passage for all Flinders Medical Students. The mandatory mode of learning you waxed lyrically about in your interview. Remember, PBL is a fun educational tool, that will serve you well. And if you don’t like it, than at least attend to demonstrate that you know the significant difference between palpating the perineum and the peritoneum*. Or that Military tuberculosis is actually spelled and pronounced, Miliary Tuberculosis*
So having surveyed a few comrades, we’ve compiled a list of seven sterling tips, that will help you stand out in your PBL like the flower in a pot of dirt you’ve always known you are.
1. Always be condescending. Remember, dismissing other peoples ideas out of hand is a good way to educate others, whilst showing how smart you are!
2. Begin all anecdotes with “In my experience.” This will add weight to your absence of experience and knowledge.
3. Arrive late. Whilst the rest of the suckers might get there early and draw diagrams, your vast experience and laissez-faire attitude will allow you to arrive fashionably late. Twenty minutes is optimal, as your group will politely wait the first ten, allowing you to skip the recap and proceed straight to teaching your group new things.
4. Forget PBL food. Remember, a hungry PBL group is a focused PBL group. Time spent munching can better be spent on the Kreb’s cycle.
5. Use permanent marker. White board markers are for wusses. What you put on the board is gold, and should be remembered for the ages.
6. Claim other groups’ work. Did the previous group forgot to wipe the whiteboard? No problem! You were only going to put the same Guyton diagram up as the previous group anyway, right?
7. Pick a fight with the tutor. Just because they have a medical degree or a Ph.D in the area, doesn’t make that story you read in Woman’s Weekly while you were getting your hair done completely wrong.
By never doing any of these things you’ll be greatly loved by classmates and tutors alike. In fact, recent research has shown that the only thing that can make you more popular is hooking up with your classmates and tutors alike! But if you don’t like to defecate where you masticate relationship-wise, listening, discussing and being a constructive part of your PBL group will see you become an outstanding medical student.
* True stories!
I also hope to be a better doctor than author...
Meanwhile, I have some fun. The editor of Placebo was sufficiently desperate, that I was asked to submit something. So here you are, feel free to have an advanced copy.
How to be a stand out performer in PBL.
So you’ve made it to medical school! You’ve got the stethoscope your family gave you as a congratulatory present draped comfortably around your neck, and you’re ready to get down and do some pseudo-doctoring!
But easy there Tiger. Before you get down to saving some lives, you’ve got to go through this PBL lark. The rite of passage for all Flinders Medical Students. The mandatory mode of learning you waxed lyrically about in your interview. Remember, PBL is a fun educational tool, that will serve you well. And if you don’t like it, than at least attend to demonstrate that you know the significant difference between palpating the perineum and the peritoneum*. Or that Military tuberculosis is actually spelled and pronounced, Miliary Tuberculosis*
So having surveyed a few comrades, we’ve compiled a list of seven sterling tips, that will help you stand out in your PBL like the flower in a pot of dirt you’ve always known you are.
1. Always be condescending. Remember, dismissing other peoples ideas out of hand is a good way to educate others, whilst showing how smart you are!
2. Begin all anecdotes with “In my experience.” This will add weight to your absence of experience and knowledge.
3. Arrive late. Whilst the rest of the suckers might get there early and draw diagrams, your vast experience and laissez-faire attitude will allow you to arrive fashionably late. Twenty minutes is optimal, as your group will politely wait the first ten, allowing you to skip the recap and proceed straight to teaching your group new things.
4. Forget PBL food. Remember, a hungry PBL group is a focused PBL group. Time spent munching can better be spent on the Kreb’s cycle.
5. Use permanent marker. White board markers are for wusses. What you put on the board is gold, and should be remembered for the ages.
6. Claim other groups’ work. Did the previous group forgot to wipe the whiteboard? No problem! You were only going to put the same Guyton diagram up as the previous group anyway, right?
7. Pick a fight with the tutor. Just because they have a medical degree or a Ph.D in the area, doesn’t make that story you read in Woman’s Weekly while you were getting your hair done completely wrong.
By never doing any of these things you’ll be greatly loved by classmates and tutors alike. In fact, recent research has shown that the only thing that can make you more popular is hooking up with your classmates and tutors alike! But if you don’t like to defecate where you masticate relationship-wise, listening, discussing and being a constructive part of your PBL group will see you become an outstanding medical student.
* True stories!
I also hope to be a better doctor than author...
Thursday, February 2, 2012
And we're back for another year!
School went back this week, and it was with much joy and happiness that we found ourselves sitting in PBL first thing monday morning. Once again, I'm happy with my group, which means I've been very fortunate in my group allocations for the entirety of medical school. Though only 5 of the 7 group members have turned up yet. Still, there's hope!
I always enjoy the start of a new block. The first session is usually quick as nobody knows anything, and then the first week is painful, as you sort through numerous books deciding what's helpful and what should never have been written in the first place. It all works out in the end, and we all have a bit of fun getting there.
In a way I'm kind of excited about this year. It marks the end of solid book based learning, and transition to pseudo-doctoring. Or as I like to think of it, I'll be a half-doc come year end.
I'll be honest though, going back to educating myself these past few days has been hard. I've really enjoyed the holiday period. The jeep is filled with sand. At times you would have found golf clubs, tennis rackets, fishing gear and bathers stashed in the back. I have had a great break, and it was the first real holiday I've had in quite some time. It was great to feel relaxed for weeks on end. I'm already looking forward to the end of the year so I can do it all again!
Unfortunately though, there are a few obstacles to be overcome yet. GIT, Endocrine and reproductive, Brain and behavior and the intimidating musculo-skeletal blocks must be conquered. And that unfortunately will require some mental effort. Oh well, I always have my mantra to chant:
"It beats getting a real job!"
School went back this week, and it was with much joy and happiness that we found ourselves sitting in PBL first thing monday morning. Once again, I'm happy with my group, which means I've been very fortunate in my group allocations for the entirety of medical school. Though only 5 of the 7 group members have turned up yet. Still, there's hope!
I always enjoy the start of a new block. The first session is usually quick as nobody knows anything, and then the first week is painful, as you sort through numerous books deciding what's helpful and what should never have been written in the first place. It all works out in the end, and we all have a bit of fun getting there.
In a way I'm kind of excited about this year. It marks the end of solid book based learning, and transition to pseudo-doctoring. Or as I like to think of it, I'll be a half-doc come year end.
I'll be honest though, going back to educating myself these past few days has been hard. I've really enjoyed the holiday period. The jeep is filled with sand. At times you would have found golf clubs, tennis rackets, fishing gear and bathers stashed in the back. I have had a great break, and it was the first real holiday I've had in quite some time. It was great to feel relaxed for weeks on end. I'm already looking forward to the end of the year so I can do it all again!
Unfortunately though, there are a few obstacles to be overcome yet. GIT, Endocrine and reproductive, Brain and behavior and the intimidating musculo-skeletal blocks must be conquered. And that unfortunately will require some mental effort. Oh well, I always have my mantra to chant:
"It beats getting a real job!"
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