This week was the end of 2nd semester. I had 4 finals - one each day this week. What a week! Having been out of the undergrad schedule of finals, this was a lot for me! 1 was completely accumulative - Microbiology. This required knowing the organism, what it looks like, all the diseases or problems it can cause, and how you would test for it in the lab.
2 of them were semi-accumulative: Neonatology and the Physiology/Biochem class.
Neonatology consisted of 2 exams for the entire semester. I had a TON of slides to memorize but it was more than that. The exams were more application, which is good but hard to study for. For example, a 36 week gestation baby is born with X vital signs (Blood pressure, pulse, respirations, etc.). The mom has a history of X and had X complications in pregnancy. The baby is now having trouble breathing - what do you think the problem is or what kinds of tests would you order?
Physiology and Biochem was the class I was most concerned about but it went really well. The exam is all write in/short answer. Sometimes it is hard to know what the prof wants because the questions are a little too vague.
The last exam was in Women's Health and that one went well too. It was just a regular exam but after a week of studying for other exams, my brain was just shot! :-) I needed sleep and my brain needed a break! It is hard to keep cramming information into an overflowing brain. I have never been so ready for a break than right now.
Wednesday night (the night before my Women's Health exam), I took part of the night off to go to my campus Bible Study where we read the Christmas story. We each had a part to read. I hadn't done that in a long time and it was a lot of fun! It is easy to lose the Christmas spirit when there is so much going on in the season. I am thankful for all this time off before Christmas to "get in the mood" and prepare (mentally) to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Now I have a little over 3 weeks until I have to be back so I am visiting my grandparents. It is nice to be away from school, relax, sleep in, and hang out with my grandparents. Being so busy throughout the school year, I have very limited chances to see them.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Right before finals
2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 - 7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
This is a great passage to reflect this semester. God has definitely been refining me over and over this semester - and sometimes it hurts. I have felt very weak and incapable this semester but God is my strength. School is quite challenging and when you are used to having your hard work pay off with really good grades and accolades, it is quite humbling (and feels a little painful) to not have that anymore.
I will say that I am encouraged by how much I am learning. This last week I had to do a physical exam on a practice patient in 45 minutes, including 187 steps! I got really good feedback that my technique is really good which is what really counts. I can learn all the textbook stuff and still not be a good PA. Skill is what matters - and bedside manner :-)
We got our schedule for Spring and it looks like a lot of time with patients which I am looking forward to. I have realized I am not a career student - I am ready to be out in the real world, working with patients and not just filling my mind with knowledge. I desire to learn so I can be a better PA, not just to know random facts.
By Thursday, I will have 2 semesters down....one step at a time.
This is a great passage to reflect this semester. God has definitely been refining me over and over this semester - and sometimes it hurts. I have felt very weak and incapable this semester but God is my strength. School is quite challenging and when you are used to having your hard work pay off with really good grades and accolades, it is quite humbling (and feels a little painful) to not have that anymore.
I will say that I am encouraged by how much I am learning. This last week I had to do a physical exam on a practice patient in 45 minutes, including 187 steps! I got really good feedback that my technique is really good which is what really counts. I can learn all the textbook stuff and still not be a good PA. Skill is what matters - and bedside manner :-)
We got our schedule for Spring and it looks like a lot of time with patients which I am looking forward to. I have realized I am not a career student - I am ready to be out in the real world, working with patients and not just filling my mind with knowledge. I desire to learn so I can be a better PA, not just to know random facts.
By Thursday, I will have 2 semesters down....one step at a time.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Dental Care by a PA???
So my program has decided to pilot a program that teaches PA students how to do basic dental care for kids. Evidently there aren't enough dentists to do basic mouth checks for kids so family practice is taking up the slack by providing fluoride treatments for kids. I definitely did not go to PA school with the idea that I would be doing mouth care but I am very thankful to have this opportunity, especially if my profession will be expected to have this skill in the future. It is also another way to differentiate myself while applying for jobs in the future.
Tomorrow, I will be working alongside dental students to learn how to do a full head and neck exam on a patient (aka my fellow student). It will be a step out of my comfort zone but it should be a great learning experience. I also enjoy meeting the other professional students on campus. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our specific class, it is easy to forget about the MANY other professional students on campus. Someday I may need these professionals to help diagnose and treat my patient. It is always good to have a better handle on what they do!
I have already learned so much about Pharmacists and how they are educated! Did you know that, in most states, you could ask your Pharmacist for medical advice - more than just for cough syrup? They know their stuff! They are taught all the medications - and not just what dose is appropriate. They are taught WHY patients take them, what drug interactions might occur, and way more than I even know right now. I am constantly impressed by my friends in the Pharmacy program. They know much more than we give them credit, so the next time you have a question about your medication or wonder if it is really the right drug for you, ask your Pharmacist!
Tomorrow, I will be working alongside dental students to learn how to do a full head and neck exam on a patient (aka my fellow student). It will be a step out of my comfort zone but it should be a great learning experience. I also enjoy meeting the other professional students on campus. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our specific class, it is easy to forget about the MANY other professional students on campus. Someday I may need these professionals to help diagnose and treat my patient. It is always good to have a better handle on what they do!
I have already learned so much about Pharmacists and how they are educated! Did you know that, in most states, you could ask your Pharmacist for medical advice - more than just for cough syrup? They know their stuff! They are taught all the medications - and not just what dose is appropriate. They are taught WHY patients take them, what drug interactions might occur, and way more than I even know right now. I am constantly impressed by my friends in the Pharmacy program. They know much more than we give them credit, so the next time you have a question about your medication or wonder if it is really the right drug for you, ask your Pharmacist!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Male and Female Exams...
Ever wonder how medical professionals learn how to do male and female annual exams? Well, this week and last week, I spent time at school learning how to do them. My school has volunteer patients that are educated in how to teach medical students how to do these exams on their own body. It is really helpful because these people know their bodies so well, they can tell you if you are feeling the right gland or organ and how to adjust your technique to make sure you are doing it right (and so you don't hurt your patient).
It was really helpful! Not all schools do this, and I can't imagine walking into a clinic being expected to do these exams without this educational experience! I can't say I will be looking forward to my clinical experiences doing these exams, but I feel so much more prepared than I ever thought possible.
Funny thing is, I thought these exams would be gross and I wouldn't be able to do them - so not true! It really is amazing what you can do when other people believe you can do it and provide the circumstances that don't give you a choice :-)
It was really helpful! Not all schools do this, and I can't imagine walking into a clinic being expected to do these exams without this educational experience! I can't say I will be looking forward to my clinical experiences doing these exams, but I feel so much more prepared than I ever thought possible.
Funny thing is, I thought these exams would be gross and I wouldn't be able to do them - so not true! It really is amazing what you can do when other people believe you can do it and provide the circumstances that don't give you a choice :-)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Kayaking and Canoeing
This weekend I was able to get away from school and take a break. After taking 6 exams, turning in several assignments, and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the work I had to do in so little time, I was so thankful for the guy in my Bible Study that invited us all out to his family home near a lake. I hadn't been near water for so long and it was so relaxing to hang out with fun people, go kayaking, canoeing, worship, food, and fellowship. The whole weekend was great!
I really needed to laugh and enjoy God's creation. I loved being out on the water and just looking at all God has made. It was a gorgeous day too! The sun was shining and the water was freezing...but we still enjoyed splashing each other, talking, and relaxing.
Evenings were spent singing and reading God's Word together. I always walk away feeling like I should be spending more time reading the Bible and praying - such a great group!
We also played Cranium and I discovered sculpting is not my fortee, but it was fun to see non-medical skills come out of the group - like acting or drawing.
After worshiping with the group, I now want to learn to play the guitar...maybe I can squeeze that in with everything else - who knows?
Tonight I met my parents for a small dinner and dessert for my mom's birthday. Driving in the snow wasn't fun but it was great to see them and enjoy a good dessert.
Now I am back at home and need to study. Taking a break does have its' draw backs - catch up time...
I really needed to laugh and enjoy God's creation. I loved being out on the water and just looking at all God has made. It was a gorgeous day too! The sun was shining and the water was freezing...but we still enjoyed splashing each other, talking, and relaxing.
Evenings were spent singing and reading God's Word together. I always walk away feeling like I should be spending more time reading the Bible and praying - such a great group!
We also played Cranium and I discovered sculpting is not my fortee, but it was fun to see non-medical skills come out of the group - like acting or drawing.
After worshiping with the group, I now want to learn to play the guitar...maybe I can squeeze that in with everything else - who knows?
Tonight I met my parents for a small dinner and dessert for my mom's birthday. Driving in the snow wasn't fun but it was great to see them and enjoy a good dessert.
Now I am back at home and need to study. Taking a break does have its' draw backs - catch up time...
Psych-Social aspect of medicine
This semester we have focused on the medical care of children. I am taking a class that talks about the psychological and social aspects of medicine that practitioners need to consider when caring for a patient. Last summer we talked about different cultures and that can affect the type of questions and care that an individual might need. For example, other cultures often use alternative medicine or herbal remedies that can interfere with prescriptions. It is important for doctors to know EVERYTHING you are taking, even if it is herbal. Some of them can negate the effects of prescriptions OR interact poorly.
Last Friday we had someone speak to us about neglected children. One aspect of the talk that struck me is that if a parent doesn't find a "suitable substitute" to take care of their children, it could be considered neglect. For example - a babysitter. So I asked if there was an age that was too young for babysitting: 13! If you leave your child with someone under the age of 13 and something happens (even if it is a basic accident), you, as the parent, can be convicted of neglect. I started babysitting at 11 and I know many parents hire young people to watch their children. Just be careful - it could backfire!
There are many aspects of neglect - including environmental. Living in an unsafe environment or a filthy home (filled with refuse) is considered neglectful. I always considered neglect as lack of attention or failing to provide food but there is so much more!
What I find interesting is that there is such a broad definition of neglect yet so many children live in these situations daily and nothing is ever done to fix it! So sad. Even without a lot of money, parents can keep their home clean or send them to school to get fed or help them study their homework. Lack of money does not indicate an inability to care for and love their children, but they often go together. Tragic!
Last Friday we had someone speak to us about neglected children. One aspect of the talk that struck me is that if a parent doesn't find a "suitable substitute" to take care of their children, it could be considered neglect. For example - a babysitter. So I asked if there was an age that was too young for babysitting: 13! If you leave your child with someone under the age of 13 and something happens (even if it is a basic accident), you, as the parent, can be convicted of neglect. I started babysitting at 11 and I know many parents hire young people to watch their children. Just be careful - it could backfire!
There are many aspects of neglect - including environmental. Living in an unsafe environment or a filthy home (filled with refuse) is considered neglectful. I always considered neglect as lack of attention or failing to provide food but there is so much more!
What I find interesting is that there is such a broad definition of neglect yet so many children live in these situations daily and nothing is ever done to fix it! So sad. Even without a lot of money, parents can keep their home clean or send them to school to get fed or help them study their homework. Lack of money does not indicate an inability to care for and love their children, but they often go together. Tragic!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Last Day of Clinic and midterms
Last week was my last day at the Endocrine clinic. On the one side, I will really miss it because I have enjoyed seeing patients. I have learned a lot about Endocrine, including thyroid disease and growth hormone deficiencies. One of the classes I am taking now is all about hormones of the body so I am sure all that I have learned will come in handy soon.
My last day in clinic, my preceptor let me see my own patients. I was able to get the patient history, do the physical exam and then report to my preceptor for her to do the final wrap up. It was a great time to test what I had learned over the previous weeks. I knew the proper questions and what we were looking for with different diagnoses. I wasn't even nervous. I enjoyed talking to the patients and their families, and I look forward to the future when I can do this completely by myself.
Since then, life and school have been tough: 5 exams since last Friday and today was the dreaded exam. It took 3 hours...and it wasn't even a midterm, just an exam. We have one of these every month or so. It's a bear but I am learning a lot. Today's exam was all about how our bodies metabolize sugar and blood glucose regulation during fasting. I now understand insulin deficiency (Diabetes).
The other exams were: Women's Health, Neonatology, Physical Diagnosis and a group exam that requires talking through potential diagnoses for a particular set of symptoms. This time we talked about developmental delay in a child. There are so many possible causes including maternal illness during pregnancy. Did you know that a fetus can have a stroke? Many problems can be diagnosed before birth, including many kinds of heart defects which allows doctors to prepare for delivery.
I have really enjoyed Neonatology. We have been learning about fetal development and why the first trimester is the most critical for protecting the fetus against drugs or other harmful affects. One thing that I found interesting was that the nervous system isn’t completely developed until 4-5 years of age. This is why infantile illnesses can still dramatically affect a child’s overall health. Brain damage can occur after birth. For example, recent studies show the cerebral palsy is not usually from perinatal hypoxia (lack of oxygen during birth). Evidence shows that there is much more to it and CP can actually develop after birth as well.
One topic that has been hammered this semester is STDs – in almost every class. It is a topic I never really cared to learn about but I have learned so much about the reasons why STDs can be so detrimental to personal health, as well as future children. To protect a fetus from an STD, they will do a C-section because maternal illnesses can be transferred during birth.
Anyway, this is a very small taste of all I have been covering over the last few weeks. Hopefully I will retain a good portion of it for future use.
One more exam next week – Microbiology. I will be thankful for next weekend – a weekend without major studying to do! My on-campus Bible Study is having a retreat next weekend – a great weekend to meet new people, relax and have fun!
My last day in clinic, my preceptor let me see my own patients. I was able to get the patient history, do the physical exam and then report to my preceptor for her to do the final wrap up. It was a great time to test what I had learned over the previous weeks. I knew the proper questions and what we were looking for with different diagnoses. I wasn't even nervous. I enjoyed talking to the patients and their families, and I look forward to the future when I can do this completely by myself.
Since then, life and school have been tough: 5 exams since last Friday and today was the dreaded exam. It took 3 hours...and it wasn't even a midterm, just an exam. We have one of these every month or so. It's a bear but I am learning a lot. Today's exam was all about how our bodies metabolize sugar and blood glucose regulation during fasting. I now understand insulin deficiency (Diabetes).
The other exams were: Women's Health, Neonatology, Physical Diagnosis and a group exam that requires talking through potential diagnoses for a particular set of symptoms. This time we talked about developmental delay in a child. There are so many possible causes including maternal illness during pregnancy. Did you know that a fetus can have a stroke? Many problems can be diagnosed before birth, including many kinds of heart defects which allows doctors to prepare for delivery.
I have really enjoyed Neonatology. We have been learning about fetal development and why the first trimester is the most critical for protecting the fetus against drugs or other harmful affects. One thing that I found interesting was that the nervous system isn’t completely developed until 4-5 years of age. This is why infantile illnesses can still dramatically affect a child’s overall health. Brain damage can occur after birth. For example, recent studies show the cerebral palsy is not usually from perinatal hypoxia (lack of oxygen during birth). Evidence shows that there is much more to it and CP can actually develop after birth as well.
One topic that has been hammered this semester is STDs – in almost every class. It is a topic I never really cared to learn about but I have learned so much about the reasons why STDs can be so detrimental to personal health, as well as future children. To protect a fetus from an STD, they will do a C-section because maternal illnesses can be transferred during birth.
Anyway, this is a very small taste of all I have been covering over the last few weeks. Hopefully I will retain a good portion of it for future use.
One more exam next week – Microbiology. I will be thankful for next weekend – a weekend without major studying to do! My on-campus Bible Study is having a retreat next weekend – a great weekend to meet new people, relax and have fun!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Clinic - 1st real patient
Today I saw my first real patient - by myself! I thought it was a run of the mill "follow-up" and it turned out pretty interesting! I tried to be very thorough, and I got to do the physical exam too! At the end, the doc came in and wrapped it all up. She said I can see more patients by myself next week! I am really excited about clinic next week...and a little sad too because it is my last day in clinic for the semester.
Days like today give me reinforcement that I am where God wants me to be. I really enjoy talking with patients, hearing their stories and trying to help. I love working with kids - even though he was so shy, he wouldn't talk to me :-) Medical providers ask some awkward questions like "Are you having any diarrhea or constipation?" What kid wants to tell a stranger about their bowel habits???? BUT it is our job and the information helps us diagnose!
On a positive note, I will get Tuesdays off for the second half of the semester so I can study, sleep, catch up on life...you know, the essentials!
Craziness is around the corner 5 exams in 8 days - I know I will survive and the program won't let me fail out...all very comforting :-)
Days like today give me reinforcement that I am where God wants me to be. I really enjoy talking with patients, hearing their stories and trying to help. I love working with kids - even though he was so shy, he wouldn't talk to me :-) Medical providers ask some awkward questions like "Are you having any diarrhea or constipation?" What kid wants to tell a stranger about their bowel habits???? BUT it is our job and the information helps us diagnose!
On a positive note, I will get Tuesdays off for the second half of the semester so I can study, sleep, catch up on life...you know, the essentials!
Craziness is around the corner 5 exams in 8 days - I know I will survive and the program won't let me fail out...all very comforting :-)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Vaccinations
So my nephew told my sister that he just got immunized for "munkungacoyta". Well, there may have been some confusion on the name of the vaccine, but I think it reflects an overall confusion about vaccinations. By the way, he meant meningococcal vaccine.
Immunization recommendations are always changing. Recently changes have been made to the tetanus vaccination. Did you know that when you get a tetanus vaccine, it includes diphtheria? When you look at your records, you should see "Td" as the name of your tetanus vaccine every 10 years. In the last few years, they have added a new component to this vaccine - Pertussis (Whooping Cough). It used to be that your last Pertussis vaccination was ~ 10 years old, but there has been a concern about waning immunity so now when you get your tetanus shot, you should be getting a TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis). If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 2 years, you might want to ask your doctor about this TDaP vaccine.
Even if you don't fully break out with Pertussis, you could be a carrier to those important children in your life. Infants are particularly susceptible because they haven't been fully vaccinated yet. They don't even get their first shot until they are 2 months old, and it is a 3 series vaccine. Full immunity isn't expected until after the 3rd shot.
For those of you concerned that vaccinations may cause Autism or other developmental problems, there is no evidence that this is true. I have read many studies comparing children who got all the vaccines at once and those who didn't. There is no link. Also, without the vaccines, your children are at extreme risk for major illnesses. Whooping Cough in an infant can turn into serious pneumonia, requiring hospitalization. Meningitis can be deadly. It is important to protect your child from some of these critical illnesses.
If you have older children in school, they can be carriers for diseases, even if they have been vaccinated. I didn't realize that you could bring home illnesses, even if your immune system fought it off. Scary, huh?
No need to be paranoid though. Just get the recommended vaccines.
Immunization recommendations are always changing. Recently changes have been made to the tetanus vaccination. Did you know that when you get a tetanus vaccine, it includes diphtheria? When you look at your records, you should see "Td" as the name of your tetanus vaccine every 10 years. In the last few years, they have added a new component to this vaccine - Pertussis (Whooping Cough). It used to be that your last Pertussis vaccination was ~ 10 years old, but there has been a concern about waning immunity so now when you get your tetanus shot, you should be getting a TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis). If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 2 years, you might want to ask your doctor about this TDaP vaccine.
Even if you don't fully break out with Pertussis, you could be a carrier to those important children in your life. Infants are particularly susceptible because they haven't been fully vaccinated yet. They don't even get their first shot until they are 2 months old, and it is a 3 series vaccine. Full immunity isn't expected until after the 3rd shot.
For those of you concerned that vaccinations may cause Autism or other developmental problems, there is no evidence that this is true. I have read many studies comparing children who got all the vaccines at once and those who didn't. There is no link. Also, without the vaccines, your children are at extreme risk for major illnesses. Whooping Cough in an infant can turn into serious pneumonia, requiring hospitalization. Meningitis can be deadly. It is important to protect your child from some of these critical illnesses.
If you have older children in school, they can be carriers for diseases, even if they have been vaccinated. I didn't realize that you could bring home illnesses, even if your immune system fought it off. Scary, huh?
No need to be paranoid though. Just get the recommended vaccines.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Difference between NP and PA
I have been asked more than once, "What is the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician Assistant?" I attended a lecture today on the history of the PA profession and the speaker gave a great chart comparing the 2 professions. I thought it would be helpful to share. This picture can be clicked to make it larger and easier to read:
Cool Clinic Tidbits
This week in clinic held a bunch of "firsts" for me. I heard my first heart murmur, first wheeze (lung auscultation), first visual of ambiguous genitalia, first spina bifida patient... If you aren't medically minded you might not realize how cool this is for me.
Someday I will need to identify the abnormal noises and if all you hear is normal, it might be hard to know what the abnormal noise is, when you hear it. Also, I want to work with kids and ambiguous genitalia occurs more frequently than you might think. Spina bifida also occurs frequently enough that I will treat patients with the medical complications from spina bifida.
Spina bifida is a congenital abnormality where the formation of the spine is not complete. It starts flat and then folds closed from the middle out. For these patients, it might connect in the middle but then not close on each end. Repair is not simple, even though it sounds like it might be. Paralysis is common due to damage to the nerves running the length of the spine.
I also learned in clinic this week that hives can signal a VARIETY of problems - including thyroid disease. So, if you ever have unexplained hives and your doctor wants to do a full blood panel on you, it's because it may not be an allergy or anything obvious. Hives CAN be simple but aren't always. The patient we had this week was referred from an Asthma and Allergy clinic.
This is just another example of why medicine is truly a PRACTICE - rarely are symptoms straightforward - but it also makes it fun, as long as you aren't the patient. For the medical provider, it is a puzzle that needs a new angle or some tweaking to figure out. It is also another reason why medical doctors are always learning and they may tell you they haven't heard of that "new study" you just read about. I heard today that medical science is new every 3-5 years. Scary, huh? By the time I graduate, almost everything will be obsolete, but you know what won't change? Patient care. No matter how the sciences change, human interaction and fact gathering is still the same. Treatment options may change but respect and compassion will always be the foundation.
Enough about that.
Sad to say only 2 more weeks in clinic for this semester - it also means the semester is almost half over. Wow!
Someday I will need to identify the abnormal noises and if all you hear is normal, it might be hard to know what the abnormal noise is, when you hear it. Also, I want to work with kids and ambiguous genitalia occurs more frequently than you might think. Spina bifida also occurs frequently enough that I will treat patients with the medical complications from spina bifida.
Spina bifida is a congenital abnormality where the formation of the spine is not complete. It starts flat and then folds closed from the middle out. For these patients, it might connect in the middle but then not close on each end. Repair is not simple, even though it sounds like it might be. Paralysis is common due to damage to the nerves running the length of the spine.
I also learned in clinic this week that hives can signal a VARIETY of problems - including thyroid disease. So, if you ever have unexplained hives and your doctor wants to do a full blood panel on you, it's because it may not be an allergy or anything obvious. Hives CAN be simple but aren't always. The patient we had this week was referred from an Asthma and Allergy clinic.
This is just another example of why medicine is truly a PRACTICE - rarely are symptoms straightforward - but it also makes it fun, as long as you aren't the patient. For the medical provider, it is a puzzle that needs a new angle or some tweaking to figure out. It is also another reason why medical doctors are always learning and they may tell you they haven't heard of that "new study" you just read about. I heard today that medical science is new every 3-5 years. Scary, huh? By the time I graduate, almost everything will be obsolete, but you know what won't change? Patient care. No matter how the sciences change, human interaction and fact gathering is still the same. Treatment options may change but respect and compassion will always be the foundation.
Enough about that.
Sad to say only 2 more weeks in clinic for this semester - it also means the semester is almost half over. Wow!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Week of 1st Exams
So this week existed of 2 first exams - Microbiology and Physiology. Microbiology wasn't too bad. I have been sick this week and wondered if I would hold up long enough to finish studying for both exams. The Micro exam was mostly about Strep and Staph infections. Did you know that the same Strep bug that causes Strep throat can also cause Rheumatic Fever and Scarlet Fever? In clinic on Tuesday, I also learned that both of those illnesses still occur in the US. I never hear about them so I thought they were like the measles or rubella - guess not. :-)
Physiology is very complex. If you ever wanted to know how you can be dehydrated and still have to go to the bathroom, this is the class to take. It is very interesting and, at first, I was having a hard time pulling all the pieces together, but yesterday a lot of the pieces started falling together. The exam was all short answer with a few multiple choice. A note on the multiple choice though - these questions had more than one answer so the questions was really - "circle any of the following options". You can't even narrow down your options with that! :-) The exam was hard but I felt I understood the material. I learned from this test that I need to prepare a little differently for the next exam. Live and learn, right?
Tonight I start playing on an indoor soccer team. I haven't played in YEARS - 4 or so - tonight will be interesting. Thankfully there are enough players to have a couple subs so I won't have to play the whole time. I fully expect to be sore tomorrow and maybe regret the decision to play :-)
Thankful for the weekend - ahhhh.
Physiology is very complex. If you ever wanted to know how you can be dehydrated and still have to go to the bathroom, this is the class to take. It is very interesting and, at first, I was having a hard time pulling all the pieces together, but yesterday a lot of the pieces started falling together. The exam was all short answer with a few multiple choice. A note on the multiple choice though - these questions had more than one answer so the questions was really - "circle any of the following options". You can't even narrow down your options with that! :-) The exam was hard but I felt I understood the material. I learned from this test that I need to prepare a little differently for the next exam. Live and learn, right?
Tonight I start playing on an indoor soccer team. I haven't played in YEARS - 4 or so - tonight will be interesting. Thankfully there are enough players to have a couple subs so I won't have to play the whole time. I fully expect to be sore tomorrow and maybe regret the decision to play :-)
Thankful for the weekend - ahhhh.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Interesting Clinic Thoughts
Today was another day of Endocrine clinic and there were a lot of interesting cases today. Yeah, we had a lot of the typical growth hormone cases but today was also the day my preceptor had hospital rounds. We saw 2 patients in the hospital this morning. The first patient is part of a research study. Neonates are screened for a lot of illnesses and genetic markers that predispose them for other illnesses. If an infant tests positive for some of these markers, the parents can choose to enter their child into a research study that monitors those particular levels throughout their lives. This child is currently healthy but because the patient tested positive for some of the indicators for serious illnesses, blood tests are done on a regular basis to catch any problems early on.
The second hospital case of the day was a complex case that started out with a large blood clot and ended up with pneumothorax (air between the lung and the chest wall that inhibits full lung expansion), surgery and a month+ hospital stay. The current tests indicate hormone deficiencies that lead to the blood clot and because it wasn't caught right away, there was a ripple effect causing the other health problems.
During the office clinic, a patient reported that their 2 children regularly get Scarlet Fever and Rheumatic Fever which I thought was interesting. I have a microbiology exam tomorrow and I was just learning about Streptococcus and how the pyogenes species can cause both of those things. I thought they were eliminated a long time ago -like the measles - because I never hear about them, but I now know that isn't true.
I love seeing how my classes parallel with my clinic experiences. It makes the textbook information more interesting and relevant.
The second hospital case of the day was a complex case that started out with a large blood clot and ended up with pneumothorax (air between the lung and the chest wall that inhibits full lung expansion), surgery and a month+ hospital stay. The current tests indicate hormone deficiencies that lead to the blood clot and because it wasn't caught right away, there was a ripple effect causing the other health problems.
During the office clinic, a patient reported that their 2 children regularly get Scarlet Fever and Rheumatic Fever which I thought was interesting. I have a microbiology exam tomorrow and I was just learning about Streptococcus and how the pyogenes species can cause both of those things. I thought they were eliminated a long time ago -like the measles - because I never hear about them, but I now know that isn't true.
I love seeing how my classes parallel with my clinic experiences. It makes the textbook information more interesting and relevant.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A Realization from the weekend
This weekend I realized that I really need to get away more often and do things non-school related. I studied so hard this summer but didn't give myself enough time to enjoy myself. If I had continued at the same pace from summer, I would well be on my way to burn-out right now. I need to be ok with not getting all A’s and learning the information because I NEED it and not for an exam. It really is a whole new mindset.
God did not make us to consume ourselves with facts and figures. Yes, it is all important for our future patients, but I am confident that I will learn the information in time. It is why we are sent on so many rotations! The 2nd year students have said again and again how much they have forgotten from their first year. You might think, “Then what is the point!?!” I will say I have experienced how much easier it is to learn and remember something after it has been covered once. The 2nd years can now teach themselves (or remind themselves) of what they had been taught in their classes as they use the information in their rotations. I am encouraged to know that I will not be expected to remember 100% of what I am learning the moment I step into rotations :-) The more you use something, the easier it is to hold on to the information for future practice.
This week will be a busy week but I am so thankful for the time I spent with family. I studied too, don't get me wrong! The weekend was all about balance. Friday night was the party. Saturday I saw my 11 year old nephew play flag football (he won, by the way)! I studied for a while, went out to eat with my dad and sister. Then my sister and I got pedicures to celebrate her birthday (which was over a week ago). The rest of the day was dedicated to studying and hanging out with my sister. Today, I went to church, studied in the car and went out for lunch. After lunch, I was at the airport and headed home.
I have been told that airports are good places to study....I will caution you on a couple things. If you are a people-watcher, it is NOT a good place to study, and if you have too many materials, there could be a space problem in being able to handle all the necessary study materials. Thankfully, I was able to secure an isle seat on the plane but there isn't even a lot of room to get a laptop out on a plane (and be able to type on it).
Overall the weekend was awesome! I am so glad I went, but now I need to shift gears to the upcoming week. I really need to be efficient this week!
God did not make us to consume ourselves with facts and figures. Yes, it is all important for our future patients, but I am confident that I will learn the information in time. It is why we are sent on so many rotations! The 2nd year students have said again and again how much they have forgotten from their first year. You might think, “Then what is the point!?!” I will say I have experienced how much easier it is to learn and remember something after it has been covered once. The 2nd years can now teach themselves (or remind themselves) of what they had been taught in their classes as they use the information in their rotations. I am encouraged to know that I will not be expected to remember 100% of what I am learning the moment I step into rotations :-) The more you use something, the easier it is to hold on to the information for future practice.
This week will be a busy week but I am so thankful for the time I spent with family. I studied too, don't get me wrong! The weekend was all about balance. Friday night was the party. Saturday I saw my 11 year old nephew play flag football (he won, by the way)! I studied for a while, went out to eat with my dad and sister. Then my sister and I got pedicures to celebrate her birthday (which was over a week ago). The rest of the day was dedicated to studying and hanging out with my sister. Today, I went to church, studied in the car and went out for lunch. After lunch, I was at the airport and headed home.
I have been told that airports are good places to study....I will caution you on a couple things. If you are a people-watcher, it is NOT a good place to study, and if you have too many materials, there could be a space problem in being able to handle all the necessary study materials. Thankfully, I was able to secure an isle seat on the plane but there isn't even a lot of room to get a laptop out on a plane (and be able to type on it).
Overall the weekend was awesome! I am so glad I went, but now I need to shift gears to the upcoming week. I really need to be efficient this week!
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Weekend Away
This weekend is my brother-in-law's 40th birthday, and he lives in another state. A couple weeks ago I decided to fly out for the surprise party, even though I knew I had 2 tests the following week. Well, here I am in Arizona. The surprise party was a great success, and I even got to hang out with my roommate from undergrad! I also got to see my 3 nephews and niece. They sure are growing fast!
It is fun to see them mature, but I have to say that my current rotation in Endocrinology makes me look at children differently. I am constantly thinking about growth patterns and behavior, wondering if it is age appropriate. I guess this is just the beginning. The more you know about something, the more you want to apply it to the world around you.
Too bad the palate for medicine is every person you meet! It is a good thing too. People are easy to come across and therefore experience is NOT hard to get! On the other hand, it is hard to meet anyone without seeing a mole and thinking, "The shape is symmetrical. The color is good. It doesn't appear abnormal." Or when I went walking with a friend and a woman jogged by. Even my friend commented on the "awkward" gait of the jogger. My immediate thought? She has a problem with her hips and should see someone before she does excessive damage to her joints. :-)
Oh, well. I do enjoy solving puzzles and medicine is just that - a HUGE puzzle. Sometimes you think the pieces go together, and you don't find out for years that the pieces aren't quite right. It is the nature of medicine and science. Our understanding of it is constantly changing. Sometimes it seems disorganized and confused. Patients think doctors aren't giving the best care because of certain methods or medications, but really I think it boils down to the most recent study that doctor agrees with (or knows about). It is really difficult to stay on top of the most recent recommendations, drugs and therapies. Honestly I think most doctors do the best they can, and because medical science is always changing, they may not agree with the most recent research, yet. It is hard to jump on board of EVERY new research study right away. Some people want a little proof first - if I were the patient, I know I would!
Ok, enough of a tangent.
I will squeeze in as much time to study as possible this weekend! I know it will all work out and the tests will come and go, whether I am really ready or not. :-) I will do the best I can!
It is fun to see them mature, but I have to say that my current rotation in Endocrinology makes me look at children differently. I am constantly thinking about growth patterns and behavior, wondering if it is age appropriate. I guess this is just the beginning. The more you know about something, the more you want to apply it to the world around you.
Too bad the palate for medicine is every person you meet! It is a good thing too. People are easy to come across and therefore experience is NOT hard to get! On the other hand, it is hard to meet anyone without seeing a mole and thinking, "The shape is symmetrical. The color is good. It doesn't appear abnormal." Or when I went walking with a friend and a woman jogged by. Even my friend commented on the "awkward" gait of the jogger. My immediate thought? She has a problem with her hips and should see someone before she does excessive damage to her joints. :-)
Oh, well. I do enjoy solving puzzles and medicine is just that - a HUGE puzzle. Sometimes you think the pieces go together, and you don't find out for years that the pieces aren't quite right. It is the nature of medicine and science. Our understanding of it is constantly changing. Sometimes it seems disorganized and confused. Patients think doctors aren't giving the best care because of certain methods or medications, but really I think it boils down to the most recent study that doctor agrees with (or knows about). It is really difficult to stay on top of the most recent recommendations, drugs and therapies. Honestly I think most doctors do the best they can, and because medical science is always changing, they may not agree with the most recent research, yet. It is hard to jump on board of EVERY new research study right away. Some people want a little proof first - if I were the patient, I know I would!
Ok, enough of a tangent.
I will squeeze in as much time to study as possible this weekend! I know it will all work out and the tests will come and go, whether I am really ready or not. :-) I will do the best I can!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Clinic Day Cancelled
So I was supposed to be in clinic this week but it was cancelled because my preceptor didn't have any patients scheduled. It is sad because I am losing opportunity for experience BUT I am enjoying an extended Labor Day weekend.
I got a lot of studying done this weekend and have been baking cookies for the christian group on campus. They are having a lunch on campus tomorrow and asked people to bring cookies. I don't get to make cookies very often and it is fun to have a reason to make them. Living alone, it isn't good to make anything sweet without a place to take it. Although, I have found my class welcome recipients to free food :-)
With the few extra hours to study, it is nice to catch up on lost hours of studying from last week. First 2 exams of the semester are next week. Can't fall too far behind!
I got a lot of studying done this weekend and have been baking cookies for the christian group on campus. They are having a lunch on campus tomorrow and asked people to bring cookies. I don't get to make cookies very often and it is fun to have a reason to make them. Living alone, it isn't good to make anything sweet without a place to take it. Although, I have found my class welcome recipients to free food :-)
With the few extra hours to study, it is nice to catch up on lost hours of studying from last week. First 2 exams of the semester are next week. Can't fall too far behind!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Labor Day Weekend
With the extended weekend, I drove to my parent's house to hang out, study, see friends and go to my home church. It has been a great weekend. I might not have studied as much as I should have but there is still time :-) and that is my goal for this afternoon!
First exams for the semester are around the corner and I really do need to get organized with all of these classes. 8 classes that don't overlap much makes life a little complicated...but it will all work out.
This week my on-campus Bible Study starts, and I have been asked to organize the food for the meetings. Since I have never even attended one of the official meetings yet, it is hard to know what to provide, or how much. I have a call in to another girl in the group for advice. I know you can't please everyone but it would be nice if the majority of the group is happy with the order :-)
I have been told that this group is primarily women and the few men who are brave enough to come. The goal for this semester is to get more guys to come. It would be great to have a more balanced group! The group meets every other week and they try to bring Christian medical professionals to share about how they incorporate their faith into their practice. I think it will be interesting to hear about the different professions these people work in! It feels like it will be forever until I graduate, but it will pass one day at a time.
In undergrad, I remember that first night in the dorm room and thinking, "I have 4 years of this? I will never make it!" But I did and here I am 11 years later in grad school. The time has passed quickly and so will this experience. I will probably feel like I didn't learn ENOUGH and it passed too quickly. Nature of life, right? It all passes so quickly and one day you wake up wondering how you got that old. :-) The only thing we can do is focus on each day as it comes and make the most of every moment. If I keep wishing for the end of the next phase, I will die without ever enjoying the life God has given me. It doesn't mean we can't dream and pray for things we imagine for our future, but we can't live in the future. It may not really come to pass the way we imagine. God is in control of it all, and we need to allow Him to work in our lives in ways we couldn't imagine!
Ok, I guess I got off on a tangent. :-)
Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!
First exams for the semester are around the corner and I really do need to get organized with all of these classes. 8 classes that don't overlap much makes life a little complicated...but it will all work out.
This week my on-campus Bible Study starts, and I have been asked to organize the food for the meetings. Since I have never even attended one of the official meetings yet, it is hard to know what to provide, or how much. I have a call in to another girl in the group for advice. I know you can't please everyone but it would be nice if the majority of the group is happy with the order :-)
I have been told that this group is primarily women and the few men who are brave enough to come. The goal for this semester is to get more guys to come. It would be great to have a more balanced group! The group meets every other week and they try to bring Christian medical professionals to share about how they incorporate their faith into their practice. I think it will be interesting to hear about the different professions these people work in! It feels like it will be forever until I graduate, but it will pass one day at a time.
In undergrad, I remember that first night in the dorm room and thinking, "I have 4 years of this? I will never make it!" But I did and here I am 11 years later in grad school. The time has passed quickly and so will this experience. I will probably feel like I didn't learn ENOUGH and it passed too quickly. Nature of life, right? It all passes so quickly and one day you wake up wondering how you got that old. :-) The only thing we can do is focus on each day as it comes and make the most of every moment. If I keep wishing for the end of the next phase, I will die without ever enjoying the life God has given me. It doesn't mean we can't dream and pray for things we imagine for our future, but we can't live in the future. It may not really come to pass the way we imagine. God is in control of it all, and we need to allow Him to work in our lives in ways we couldn't imagine!
Ok, I guess I got off on a tangent. :-)
Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
More about Clinic this week
So I saw a patient this week that has Turner Syndrome. If you don't know what that means, I will give a brief description - The average person has 2 gender specifying chromosomes (XX or XY). Sometimes cell division doesn't happen quite the way it should, and you can have a child with XXY or XYY or, in the case of Turner Syndrome, X-. This means that there is a chromosome missing and the child is born as a female, but there are often complications as well. Like a Down Syndrome child, children with Turner Syndrome can have very distinct features: short stature, low-set ears, and a short neck, among other features.
This patient was also mosaic which is interesting from a genetic stand point, and I just learned about it this past spring in my Genetics class. Basically it means that some of your cells test with one set of DNA, and your other cells test with an altered set of DNA.
http://www.turnersyndrome.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=123
Because of the short stature, these kinds of cases are often seen in the Endocrine clinic. As these patients grow up, they often have trouble with puberty hormones and will continue seeing an Endocrinologist to be monitored for those hormones as well.
Genetics. We all have our own set of DNA that has made us most of who we are today. The more I learn the more I am truly AMAZED that any of us live past the age of 1...day old. The fact that any of us developed normally and function every day, is truly an act of God. We can see His grace on our lives every day. The fact that our cells continually divide normally and after all our cells have been replaced (this happens regularly!), we still look like we did before. God made our bodies to regenerate themselves without changing our physical appearance...unless you want to count wrinkles :-)
I am also amazed by how basic treatments can off-set major cellular defects in our bodies. For example, Type I Diabetes. These children have little to no insulin production in their bodies and a simple treatment of insulin shots helps them live normal lives. I know the day to day monitoring probably seems complicated and frustrating for those people, but it keeps them ALIVE. Modern medicine can do amazing things.
This patient was also mosaic which is interesting from a genetic stand point, and I just learned about it this past spring in my Genetics class. Basically it means that some of your cells test with one set of DNA, and your other cells test with an altered set of DNA.
http://www.turnersyndrome.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=123
Because of the short stature, these kinds of cases are often seen in the Endocrine clinic. As these patients grow up, they often have trouble with puberty hormones and will continue seeing an Endocrinologist to be monitored for those hormones as well.
Genetics. We all have our own set of DNA that has made us most of who we are today. The more I learn the more I am truly AMAZED that any of us live past the age of 1...day old. The fact that any of us developed normally and function every day, is truly an act of God. We can see His grace on our lives every day. The fact that our cells continually divide normally and after all our cells have been replaced (this happens regularly!), we still look like we did before. God made our bodies to regenerate themselves without changing our physical appearance...unless you want to count wrinkles :-)
I am also amazed by how basic treatments can off-set major cellular defects in our bodies. For example, Type I Diabetes. These children have little to no insulin production in their bodies and a simple treatment of insulin shots helps them live normal lives. I know the day to day monitoring probably seems complicated and frustrating for those people, but it keeps them ALIVE. Modern medicine can do amazing things.
Social Activity
Last night the 1st and 2nd year students planned an outing for us all to hang out. Because the 2nd years weren't on campus this summer, we (the 1st years) didn't get to meet many of them. It was a lot of fun to meet and not talk about school...ok, we talked about school A LITTLE but what can I say - It is a HUGE part of our lives right now.
When I applied to PA school, people told me - you won't have a life. You won't have any time to do ANYTHING but study and that really isn't true. I am writing this blog, right? :-) In actuality you make time for the things you find important. People in my class are married with kids or pets. Some live over an hour from school and yes, they commute EVERY DAY...I think they are crazy, but I don't really like to drive in traffic. I avoid it at all costs! But it is proof it can be done. People make life work around the things in their lives that can't budge.
For example, I am a Christian and feel that church attendance is really important. I am also involved in a couple Bible Studies that meet weekly. I feel it is actually time that I NEED away from the grind of studying and school. Over the summer, I needed a break from the Anatomy lab! Now, I just need time away from the monotony. There will always be more to learn, more to study and by the time we graduate, most of what we learned will be inaccurate. Ok, maybe not "most" but there is a large part that will be replaced with the "new research."
I am sure you get tired of reading about the new scientific study that NOW says eggs are good for you, when a few years ago, they told you not to eat them because they could kill you with all that cholesterol! Well, people in the medical field deal with that on a daily basis. Drugs that yesterday were the "best on the market" are now deadly and cause cancer.
What I have learned over time is that when we call something a "science", it means it is always changing because new methods of research are either proving or disproving past discoveries. It is constantly being refined and sometimes flipped upside down. So why do we call something a science when we really mean it is precise...don't we really mean it is a "math"?
Math? Hopefully 1+1 will always equal 2 (unless you are one of those computer geeks who wear teeshirts that try to disprove this) :-) The area of a circle of a particular size will always be just that. Sure, new methods come out for different learning styles, but the answer is still the same!
History? That probably won't change - unless we find hidden artifacts or novels that bring about new facts.
English? Always changing but even "old" communication styles still work - Thou art the most skillful in the land!...see, you understood :-) Sometimes I can't keep up with new lingo like all the chat abbreviations (ttyl, lol, brb - the ones I actually know).
I guess this is why we are told never to stop learning. Nothing is completely static - so why not pick a field where it changes almost every day? You won't have to go out looking for something new to learn, it will come to you! :-)
When I applied to PA school, people told me - you won't have a life. You won't have any time to do ANYTHING but study and that really isn't true. I am writing this blog, right? :-) In actuality you make time for the things you find important. People in my class are married with kids or pets. Some live over an hour from school and yes, they commute EVERY DAY...I think they are crazy, but I don't really like to drive in traffic. I avoid it at all costs! But it is proof it can be done. People make life work around the things in their lives that can't budge.
For example, I am a Christian and feel that church attendance is really important. I am also involved in a couple Bible Studies that meet weekly. I feel it is actually time that I NEED away from the grind of studying and school. Over the summer, I needed a break from the Anatomy lab! Now, I just need time away from the monotony. There will always be more to learn, more to study and by the time we graduate, most of what we learned will be inaccurate. Ok, maybe not "most" but there is a large part that will be replaced with the "new research."
I am sure you get tired of reading about the new scientific study that NOW says eggs are good for you, when a few years ago, they told you not to eat them because they could kill you with all that cholesterol! Well, people in the medical field deal with that on a daily basis. Drugs that yesterday were the "best on the market" are now deadly and cause cancer.
What I have learned over time is that when we call something a "science", it means it is always changing because new methods of research are either proving or disproving past discoveries. It is constantly being refined and sometimes flipped upside down. So why do we call something a science when we really mean it is precise...don't we really mean it is a "math"?
Math? Hopefully 1+1 will always equal 2 (unless you are one of those computer geeks who wear teeshirts that try to disprove this) :-) The area of a circle of a particular size will always be just that. Sure, new methods come out for different learning styles, but the answer is still the same!
History? That probably won't change - unless we find hidden artifacts or novels that bring about new facts.
English? Always changing but even "old" communication styles still work - Thou art the most skillful in the land!...see, you understood :-) Sometimes I can't keep up with new lingo like all the chat abbreviations (ttyl, lol, brb - the ones I actually know).
I guess this is why we are told never to stop learning. Nothing is completely static - so why not pick a field where it changes almost every day? You won't have to go out looking for something new to learn, it will come to you! :-)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Clinic - Day 2
Do you ever have one of those moments where you meet a friend of a friend in a seemingly random place? Today I was working in the Endocrine department of the hospital and met a 4th year medical student from my school. We worked together throughout the day. At the end of the day, we headed to a departmental meeting to talk about difficult cases, and I heard this person talking about her travel experiences during a break in medical school. The story sounded familiar so I looked down at her badge and saw her last name....GASP!!!!...this is the sister of a GREAT FRIEND of MY sister...follow that? :-) It is crazy!
To help you realize the enormaty of this in my mind:
My sister met her friend when we lived in CA (we left in 1988), and now her friend lives in Florida. They kept in touch and are still great friends to this day. Such great friends that when the friend's sister got married, my sister flew to Florida to attend the wedding. This wedding happened recently, and the name on the badge is now her maiden name. Anyway, my sister told me to look this person up on campus, but I wasn't sure how to find her! God intervened and placed us in the same rotation at the same time! It was awesome to talk with her - I love when stuff like this happens! It is like walking through a large airport in another state and running into a good friend :-)
Other than that, it was a good day of clinic too. We had some interesting cases of Growth Hormone Deficiency and Turner Syndrome. I am learning a lot about the pathways of how hormones affect different parts of the body. More to come in ISBM this semester.
To help you realize the enormaty of this in my mind:
My sister met her friend when we lived in CA (we left in 1988), and now her friend lives in Florida. They kept in touch and are still great friends to this day. Such great friends that when the friend's sister got married, my sister flew to Florida to attend the wedding. This wedding happened recently, and the name on the badge is now her maiden name. Anyway, my sister told me to look this person up on campus, but I wasn't sure how to find her! God intervened and placed us in the same rotation at the same time! It was awesome to talk with her - I love when stuff like this happens! It is like walking through a large airport in another state and running into a good friend :-)
Other than that, it was a good day of clinic too. We had some interesting cases of Growth Hormone Deficiency and Turner Syndrome. I am learning a lot about the pathways of how hormones affect different parts of the body. More to come in ISBM this semester.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Interprofessionalism, Neonatology and PD
Today is the first day of week 2 and my class was scheduled to meet with the other students on campus for "Interprofessional" small group meetings. These groups are to help us learn how to effectively communicate with other professionals involved in patient care. More mistakes happen in health care due to error and poor communication than almost anything else.
My group has 2 medical students, 2 pharmacy students, 2 nursing students, and one Physical Therapy student. Next spring I will be with this same group of students to discuss ethical scenarios. Learning to communicate and think through tough issues is a MAJOR part of our future careers. It might be a good idea for all of us to be in groups like this regularly - no matter what field we are in, we could all use a little work on our communication skills :-)
After lunch, my class was back to our normal routine of Neonatology and Physical Diagnosis. In Neonatology we talked about the affects of vaginal delivery on the newborn, which included watching a video a vaginal birth...it is a cool experience to watch but the essentials are gross :-) If little babies weren't so cute, no woman would EVER have children!
Afterward, we studied male anatomy and exam in Physical Diagnosis. This semester will be focused on the male and female anatomy and how to do the physical exams. If you desire to be a PA, learn to be comfortable touching people. It is the only way to truly determine and discover illness. Sometimes, as the patient, we wonder "Is this really necessary????" because we feel so uncomfortable but doctor's don't "enjoy" some of these exams either. They do them because they know it is for the best interest of you, the patient.
Now, I am home to study and prepare for clinic tomorrow....
My group has 2 medical students, 2 pharmacy students, 2 nursing students, and one Physical Therapy student. Next spring I will be with this same group of students to discuss ethical scenarios. Learning to communicate and think through tough issues is a MAJOR part of our future careers. It might be a good idea for all of us to be in groups like this regularly - no matter what field we are in, we could all use a little work on our communication skills :-)
After lunch, my class was back to our normal routine of Neonatology and Physical Diagnosis. In Neonatology we talked about the affects of vaginal delivery on the newborn, which included watching a video a vaginal birth...it is a cool experience to watch but the essentials are gross :-) If little babies weren't so cute, no woman would EVER have children!
Afterward, we studied male anatomy and exam in Physical Diagnosis. This semester will be focused on the male and female anatomy and how to do the physical exams. If you desire to be a PA, learn to be comfortable touching people. It is the only way to truly determine and discover illness. Sometimes, as the patient, we wonder "Is this really necessary????" because we feel so uncomfortable but doctor's don't "enjoy" some of these exams either. They do them because they know it is for the best interest of you, the patient.
Now, I am home to study and prepare for clinic tomorrow....
Week 1 - Fall
How do you organize your life when, all of a sudden, you have 8 new pieces to somehow fit into your life? That is what the first week of the fall was all about - 19 credit hours, 8 classes. Some of these classes only meet once a week. You may think "Only once a week? That should make life easier." Actually no. If you try to stay on top of the material and study right after you cover the material in class, you have a full week before you talk about it again. On the other hand, if you wait and try to study before you go to class, it has been a full week since you talked about any of it...it feels like a lose-lose. There is a benefit though - when you have an exam, you have a full week to study!
This fall we are taking: Women's Health, Neonatology, Physical Diagnosis(continued), Psychosocial (continued), PBL (continued), ISBM (Physiology and Biochem "on steroids"), Clinic, Microbiology.
Clinic is really interesting. My preceptor is a doctor working at a children's Endocrinology clinic. Endocrinology includes problems with Growth Hormone (GH), Thyroid issues, and even Diabetes. There are a variety of challenges that come up with each of these areas and it is very relevant to the ISBM class. I am thankful for this early exposure to Endocrinology. In the long run, I think this will be a good foundation to build upon.
One thing I have realized, in this short time of schooling, is that some medical issues are much more prevalent than you would think. For example, Growth Hormone affects more children than I would have thought. Growing up I thought most kids were "normal". I had no idea that kids were dealing with Hypothyroidism, GH deficiency, and diabetes, but the more I am in clinic, the more I see average kids on medications for these issues. I guess there really isn't a "normal" and I wish I had known that back when I was a kid.
Looking back, I actually knew a kid that had GH deficiency, but I didn't know that's what it was. I had heard that he was getting "shots to help him grow" - now I know that IS GH deficiency. :-) Oh, well. I guess some ignorance is a good thing while you are growing up.
I will continue to write about my clinic experience, but for the protection of my patients, I won't write anything too specific.
This fall we are taking: Women's Health, Neonatology, Physical Diagnosis(continued), Psychosocial (continued), PBL (continued), ISBM (Physiology and Biochem "on steroids"), Clinic, Microbiology.
Clinic is really interesting. My preceptor is a doctor working at a children's Endocrinology clinic. Endocrinology includes problems with Growth Hormone (GH), Thyroid issues, and even Diabetes. There are a variety of challenges that come up with each of these areas and it is very relevant to the ISBM class. I am thankful for this early exposure to Endocrinology. In the long run, I think this will be a good foundation to build upon.
One thing I have realized, in this short time of schooling, is that some medical issues are much more prevalent than you would think. For example, Growth Hormone affects more children than I would have thought. Growing up I thought most kids were "normal". I had no idea that kids were dealing with Hypothyroidism, GH deficiency, and diabetes, but the more I am in clinic, the more I see average kids on medications for these issues. I guess there really isn't a "normal" and I wish I had known that back when I was a kid.
Looking back, I actually knew a kid that had GH deficiency, but I didn't know that's what it was. I had heard that he was getting "shots to help him grow" - now I know that IS GH deficiency. :-) Oh, well. I guess some ignorance is a good thing while you are growing up.
I will continue to write about my clinic experience, but for the protection of my patients, I won't write anything too specific.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Summary of 1st Semester
This summer was mainly a crash course in Anatomy. It was a 6 credit hour class: a combination of lab and class work. Weekly I spent at least 10 hours in the Anatomy lab dissecting a cadaver. Every 3 weeks culminated with a 3 hour exam: 1 hour lab and 2 hours written. We started with the Upper Extremity, then the Thorax and Abdomen, then one week on the Lower Extremity and finally the Head and Neck.
By far Head and Neck were the most complicated. We had to learn all the Cranial Nerves, including all their components and functions. The Dissection of this region was the most difficult and tedious. If you have never dissected anything, it is hard to explain the difficulty in finding nerves, arteries and muscles (in tact) on a cadaver. If you are interested in this aspect, please ask.
A word or two on dissection...
The smell is DISGUSTING and got progressively worse as the summer progressed. The smell is from the preservative Phenol. It causes a variety of side effects over prolonged exposure.
My class dissected at the same time as the Physical Therapy students. I was surprised to learn that they had to dissect all of the same areas of the body that we did. They even spend an extra summer in the lab dissecting joints and muscles.
This summer, I also took 3 other classes - Physical Diagnosis, Problem Based Learning and Psychosocial. Physical Diagnosis was interesting because I learned some of the practical components of how to do a physical exam. If you have been to your doctor for a basic check-up, you have seen the skills I learned this summer: Eyes, ears, nose, throat, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart. We also learned how to do upper and lower extremity function exams.
Problem Based Learning and Psychosocial are classes I will continue taking over the full-length of the program. PBL teaches students how to think through the process of diagnosing patients and Psychosocial trains students to treat the full person, including culture, family, and medical complexities. Every patient is different and deserves to be treated with the best care available. Medical providers need to learn to leave any prejudices at the door and care for the full person. Sometimes this means asking "uncomfortable" questions and educating patients on procedures the provider may not agree with.
Bottom-line? If you can't put your prejudices aside and care people and their individual needs, this is NOT the profession for you...In actuality, this means you probably shouldn't be in ANY career that allows you to deal with people. The difference is that medicine is a life or death situation at times.
Overall it was a tough summer. I studied A LOT, got good grades but mainly LEARNED A TON! Hopefully I will retain a good portion of it :-)
Enough about summer. Any questions? feel free to ask!
By far Head and Neck were the most complicated. We had to learn all the Cranial Nerves, including all their components and functions. The Dissection of this region was the most difficult and tedious. If you have never dissected anything, it is hard to explain the difficulty in finding nerves, arteries and muscles (in tact) on a cadaver. If you are interested in this aspect, please ask.
A word or two on dissection...
The smell is DISGUSTING and got progressively worse as the summer progressed. The smell is from the preservative Phenol. It causes a variety of side effects over prolonged exposure.
My class dissected at the same time as the Physical Therapy students. I was surprised to learn that they had to dissect all of the same areas of the body that we did. They even spend an extra summer in the lab dissecting joints and muscles.
This summer, I also took 3 other classes - Physical Diagnosis, Problem Based Learning and Psychosocial. Physical Diagnosis was interesting because I learned some of the practical components of how to do a physical exam. If you have been to your doctor for a basic check-up, you have seen the skills I learned this summer: Eyes, ears, nose, throat, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart. We also learned how to do upper and lower extremity function exams.
Problem Based Learning and Psychosocial are classes I will continue taking over the full-length of the program. PBL teaches students how to think through the process of diagnosing patients and Psychosocial trains students to treat the full person, including culture, family, and medical complexities. Every patient is different and deserves to be treated with the best care available. Medical providers need to learn to leave any prejudices at the door and care for the full person. Sometimes this means asking "uncomfortable" questions and educating patients on procedures the provider may not agree with.
Bottom-line? If you can't put your prejudices aside and care people and their individual needs, this is NOT the profession for you...In actuality, this means you probably shouldn't be in ANY career that allows you to deal with people. The difference is that medicine is a life or death situation at times.
Overall it was a tough summer. I studied A LOT, got good grades but mainly LEARNED A TON! Hopefully I will retain a good portion of it :-)
Enough about summer. Any questions? feel free to ask!
What is this blog for?
Ever wondered what a Physician Assistant is trained to do? You show up at your doctor's office and find out you will be seen by the "PA" instead of your primary physician and you wonder, "Is this person a 'nurse' or a 'medical assistant'? Are they really qualified to write me a perscription?"
3 months ago I started Physician Assistant school and have just last week started my 2nd semester. People ask me - "How is it?" "Is it as hard as you thought?" "What do you get to do?" Well, this blog is dedicated to all my friends and family that wonder what I am doing AND to all of you who want to know what a Physician Assistant program is all about. If you are thinking about applying to a PA program, feel free to ask questions about the application process, interviewing, and the program.
I will not name my program here. Think of this blog as a general overview of PA training. There are less than 50 people in my program, and we all will have a different experience with the stress and workload. BUT when we all graduate, we will be qualified to work in the same profession, in any number of specialties.
So...Here we go...
3 months ago I started Physician Assistant school and have just last week started my 2nd semester. People ask me - "How is it?" "Is it as hard as you thought?" "What do you get to do?" Well, this blog is dedicated to all my friends and family that wonder what I am doing AND to all of you who want to know what a Physician Assistant program is all about. If you are thinking about applying to a PA program, feel free to ask questions about the application process, interviewing, and the program.
I will not name my program here. Think of this blog as a general overview of PA training. There are less than 50 people in my program, and we all will have a different experience with the stress and workload. BUT when we all graduate, we will be qualified to work in the same profession, in any number of specialties.
So...Here we go...
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