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 :-)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
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!
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