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?
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