... Indeed.
Well, today I got up around 6:30am. Watched the news/weather for awhile to determine whether I should make the almost hour trip to the clinic I'm at or if I should not risk my life. I decided I would give it a shot and got ready. I got out in my car and gunned the gas pedal and tried to stop as fast as I could in our complex parking lot to see if I would slide. (Don't worry, I watched for pedestrians). I didn't slide so I made the trip, and made it safely! I have to really think if the trip is worth it because the clinic I am at is out in the boonies. There isn't a whole lot blocking the main road I drive down from the gusts of wind or blowing snow. Thus, these roads get pretty bad to drive on, in a hurry. Luckily I am with a preceptor that values my life more than my company haha.
I know I talked about this clinic a little bit, but I am really enjoying my self there. I really like the people that work there. They are all sarcastic just like me and don't mind me being so. I really think that not just as a rotation but especially as a job site that the people you work with make the difference. You may have a not so good boss or have a difficult patient population. Yet if you have co-workers that you are able to be yourself around and enjoy being around it can make your day, at the very least tolerable. At this clinic, even when we are having a bad/busy day we are able to get through it. Most times we are even able to finish with a smile on our faces. Sometimes you just can't ask for more than that.
On a different note, I really feel like I am able to put things together more when a patient comes in with a problem that hasn't been figured out yet. I have even made some suggestions to my preceptor that she wasn't quite thinking of at the time. Part of this is probably because I am coming fresh out of the books. So naturally I have some more of the specific and more up-to-date knowledge on a wide range of areas that a family practice practioner may not have readily available. I think the main thing is I am really learning to take the book knowledge and combine that with clinical knowledge that my preceptor has and mold it into my own style. I am still unsure of what this means. Nevertheless, it is exciting to see how far I have come in these short few months. Though, there is still much more to learn, I am still up holding my passion to dive right in.
See ya,
M-R
Showing posts with label Clinical Rotations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clinical Rotations. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Update!
Hello All,
I am currently in my rural medicine rotation. I just finished up the first week of that. It is going really well and I feel like I am relearning the basics. My first few rotations were: Peds, Surgery, and Psych, so naturally I didn't directly deal with a lot of the typical disease states that one commonly sees in a primary care office such as: Diabetes, Hypertension, Low Back Pain, etc. It is really nice because as it is I really think I want to work in the primary care sector initially and then possibly specialize. It was a little strange doing specialty medicine for the first few months of my clinical year. (I guess peds could be looked at as sort of a primary care practice.) It was strange because instead of building on the basics I sort of skipped that and went right into specific areas of medicine, two areas of which we did not get a huge exposure to during the first year.
Oh well, the second year has been a blast so far. Some 1st year students asked me if the second year is easier than the first year. I think it is/can be to a certain degree. However, I think it is difficult as well, just a different kind of difficult. Yes, you don't have to sit in a classroom all day everyday for 40 hours a week, on top of having to study for the constant parade of tests and quizzess. However, you do have to go to "work" everyday and really stretch your brain and learn as much as you can. You also have to stress of not completely screwing up something very basic or missing something really important and making a fool out of yourself. (More on that in a bit.) Plus, if other programs are like mine, you have end-of-rotation exams after every 'core' clinical. Since you aren't in class anymore you are sort of on your own to figure out what you need to be studying and how best to use your time to study for an exam of which you aren't too sure what is actually on it. Sure you get a 'reading-list' and a 'study guide' but that doesnt necessarily mean that those things are exactly what the exam is going to cover. In fact in most cases, it isn't.
All of that may make it seem like I am not enjoying the second year. However, as I already stated, I am. I much prefer this to the first year, hands down! I enjoy not only just talking about medicine, but beginning to practice it as well. Plus, reading takes on a different meaning for the most part in the second year. You are not reading so much for an exam anymore, but rather reading up on things you are seeing in the practice you are at. I think this makes the reading more meaningful. For example, in the clinic I am in right now we see a lot of low back pain. When I read about this in my books I am able to retain the information better because I can apply it to the patient(s) I have seen. I also get excited about the fact that the next time I see a patient with low back pain I will be much more informed and be more efficient when I am in the room with the patient.
During the 1st year everyone is generally on the same page, and experiencing many of the same things. However, this is not so much true in the second year. Everyone really has their own unique experience, even if they go to the same site as another. There have been rotation sites that I have gone to that I loved. However, someone else went there and really had a hard time adjusting to it. -- I really believe that the experience you have at a rotation is largely up to you. Not only do you get out what you put in, but your attitude says a lot about what your experience is going to be like.
If you are in the first year now, keep your head up. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and no it doesn't have to be a train. Study hard and keep a positive attitude whenever possible.
'Til next time!
M-R
I am currently in my rural medicine rotation. I just finished up the first week of that. It is going really well and I feel like I am relearning the basics. My first few rotations were: Peds, Surgery, and Psych, so naturally I didn't directly deal with a lot of the typical disease states that one commonly sees in a primary care office such as: Diabetes, Hypertension, Low Back Pain, etc. It is really nice because as it is I really think I want to work in the primary care sector initially and then possibly specialize. It was a little strange doing specialty medicine for the first few months of my clinical year. (I guess peds could be looked at as sort of a primary care practice.) It was strange because instead of building on the basics I sort of skipped that and went right into specific areas of medicine, two areas of which we did not get a huge exposure to during the first year.
Oh well, the second year has been a blast so far. Some 1st year students asked me if the second year is easier than the first year. I think it is/can be to a certain degree. However, I think it is difficult as well, just a different kind of difficult. Yes, you don't have to sit in a classroom all day everyday for 40 hours a week, on top of having to study for the constant parade of tests and quizzess. However, you do have to go to "work" everyday and really stretch your brain and learn as much as you can. You also have to stress of not completely screwing up something very basic or missing something really important and making a fool out of yourself. (More on that in a bit.) Plus, if other programs are like mine, you have end-of-rotation exams after every 'core' clinical. Since you aren't in class anymore you are sort of on your own to figure out what you need to be studying and how best to use your time to study for an exam of which you aren't too sure what is actually on it. Sure you get a 'reading-list' and a 'study guide' but that doesnt necessarily mean that those things are exactly what the exam is going to cover. In fact in most cases, it isn't.
All of that may make it seem like I am not enjoying the second year. However, as I already stated, I am. I much prefer this to the first year, hands down! I enjoy not only just talking about medicine, but beginning to practice it as well. Plus, reading takes on a different meaning for the most part in the second year. You are not reading so much for an exam anymore, but rather reading up on things you are seeing in the practice you are at. I think this makes the reading more meaningful. For example, in the clinic I am in right now we see a lot of low back pain. When I read about this in my books I am able to retain the information better because I can apply it to the patient(s) I have seen. I also get excited about the fact that the next time I see a patient with low back pain I will be much more informed and be more efficient when I am in the room with the patient.
During the 1st year everyone is generally on the same page, and experiencing many of the same things. However, this is not so much true in the second year. Everyone really has their own unique experience, even if they go to the same site as another. There have been rotation sites that I have gone to that I loved. However, someone else went there and really had a hard time adjusting to it. -- I really believe that the experience you have at a rotation is largely up to you. Not only do you get out what you put in, but your attitude says a lot about what your experience is going to be like.
If you are in the first year now, keep your head up. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and no it doesn't have to be a train. Study hard and keep a positive attitude whenever possible.
'Til next time!
M-R
Monday, October 5, 2009
1st Blog of Year 2
Hey guys,
Sorry for the long absence. I don't know if people are actually stopping by anymore. Frankly, I probably would have stopped too. I am often times really busy, and even when I do "have time" to get on here I either want to sleep, or I actually should be studying. Either way, I finally made it to the second year!!!! Woo Hoo!! -- For all those just not starting the 1st year some words of advice: 1) Remember that it is only temporary, 2) Study as much as you can but realize that realistically you can't learn it all in the short period of time you have - get the just and move on, 3) Stay away from negativity - it truly will only bring you down as well and God knows you won't need any help, 4) Try to remember your health - as hard as it will be to do that, 5) You won't like every professor and chances are you will find something about each one that you don't like - do what you can with what they give you and then be a big boy or girl and find out what you need to do to get the information you need to pass, 6) Probably most importantly - if you have a significant other/bestfriend/close family member(s) DONT FORGET ABOUT THEM - set aside one night a week where you spend time with that person and carve that time out early!!, 7) Remember, you aren't going to get an A on every test/assignment/check-off, get over that quickly and save yourself the stress, do the best you can and move on, 8) If you aren't getting the grades you think you deserve figure out why and change whatever it is that you need to change in order to get what you think you deserve - whatever that means for you.
Those are just a few things that come to mind at the moment. I don't mean to sound harsh but this is the reality of PA school. A lot of the time it is going to suck, and it is going to be really hard. But honestly ask yourself, "What did I expect?" Now I will agree that you most likely did not expect this. But if you sit down and analyze the situation for a second it may make sense. You are in an accelerated "medical school" program. Of course it is going to be difficult, and of course it is going to seem like there is no way you can learn it all, because you can't! To be perfectly honest, no one expects you to know it all right now; that would be impossible. However, you will learn. You will learn more than you think you are. Just when it seems as though your brain can't hold another single fact about the cardiac system, low and behold it gets in there somehow.
It's an intense ride, but it is a worthwhile one (see blog title above). As long as you can keep that perspective you will be able to get through it. God speed and happy reading!
M-R
P.S. - My internet access is limited at my current rotation so it may be another while before I can get back on here. However, I will do my best to update you guys on my rotations so far. See ya then!
Sorry for the long absence. I don't know if people are actually stopping by anymore. Frankly, I probably would have stopped too. I am often times really busy, and even when I do "have time" to get on here I either want to sleep, or I actually should be studying. Either way, I finally made it to the second year!!!! Woo Hoo!! -- For all those just not starting the 1st year some words of advice: 1) Remember that it is only temporary, 2) Study as much as you can but realize that realistically you can't learn it all in the short period of time you have - get the just and move on, 3) Stay away from negativity - it truly will only bring you down as well and God knows you won't need any help, 4) Try to remember your health - as hard as it will be to do that, 5) You won't like every professor and chances are you will find something about each one that you don't like - do what you can with what they give you and then be a big boy or girl and find out what you need to do to get the information you need to pass, 6) Probably most importantly - if you have a significant other/bestfriend/close family member(s) DONT FORGET ABOUT THEM - set aside one night a week where you spend time with that person and carve that time out early!!, 7) Remember, you aren't going to get an A on every test/assignment/check-off, get over that quickly and save yourself the stress, do the best you can and move on, 8) If you aren't getting the grades you think you deserve figure out why and change whatever it is that you need to change in order to get what you think you deserve - whatever that means for you.
Those are just a few things that come to mind at the moment. I don't mean to sound harsh but this is the reality of PA school. A lot of the time it is going to suck, and it is going to be really hard. But honestly ask yourself, "What did I expect?" Now I will agree that you most likely did not expect this. But if you sit down and analyze the situation for a second it may make sense. You are in an accelerated "medical school" program. Of course it is going to be difficult, and of course it is going to seem like there is no way you can learn it all, because you can't! To be perfectly honest, no one expects you to know it all right now; that would be impossible. However, you will learn. You will learn more than you think you are. Just when it seems as though your brain can't hold another single fact about the cardiac system, low and behold it gets in there somehow.
It's an intense ride, but it is a worthwhile one (see blog title above). As long as you can keep that perspective you will be able to get through it. God speed and happy reading!
M-R
P.S. - My internet access is limited at my current rotation so it may be another while before I can get back on here. However, I will do my best to update you guys on my rotations so far. See ya then!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Rotation Shake Down!!
Well we finally got our rotation schedule. I was really nervous when we found out in an email during class that we would be getting our schedules right after lecture. Needless to say I dont think I remember a single thing that was taught after that. I am not sure why I was so freaked. I had told myself a long time ago that I have no control over where I go. I even told our clinical coordinator that I didnt care where she sent me, asn long as the rotation site was good and she thought I would do well / learn a lot there. Still I was pretty nervous. Well without further ado:
Clinical Rotation Schedule
1) Aug 31st - Pediatrics
2) Sept 28th - Surgery
3) Oct 26th - Psychiatry
4) Nov 30th - Rural Medicine (elective)
5) Jan 4th - Critical Care (elective)
6) Feb 1st - Family Medicine (2 months)
7) April 5th - OB/GYN (3 weeks at a planned parenthood clinic/ 1 week OB in hospital)
8) May 3rd - Internal Medicine (2 months)
9) July 6th - Emergency Medicine
I am really excited. However my motivation has almost completely run away from me. I need to get my head back in the game. If you see my motivation will you tell it to go back home? Thanks!
M-R
Clinical Rotation Schedule
1) Aug 31st - Pediatrics
2) Sept 28th - Surgery
3) Oct 26th - Psychiatry
4) Nov 30th - Rural Medicine (elective)
5) Jan 4th - Critical Care (elective)
6) Feb 1st - Family Medicine (2 months)
7) April 5th - OB/GYN (3 weeks at a planned parenthood clinic/ 1 week OB in hospital)
8) May 3rd - Internal Medicine (2 months)
9) July 6th - Emergency Medicine
I am really excited. However my motivation has almost completely run away from me. I need to get my head back in the game. If you see my motivation will you tell it to go back home? Thanks!
M-R
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