Good lord, where do I begin?
First Medical Case
We had our first mock medical case today. If you have watched House MD before, it is exactly like that. However, the case was from fifteen years ago. I’m not sure if I can “legally” go into depth about it here, but anyway, we had to make a list of differential (possible causes). To be honest, it was not hard because they basically told you what it was (at the end of the packet). Even so, we had to research about it online.
Anyway, I mainly researched about the actual diagnosis (Epidermolysis Bullosa). To my surprise, the focus of the discussion was the differential. Oh man, did I look dumb while my classmates was coming up with differentials like autoimmune diseases (I actually did think about this) and several genetic disorders. For the entire session, I was impressed! Then later, I found out that there ARE websites where you can look up differentials, and that was what most of my classmates did. *smack head*
First Patient Interview
Okay, let me get this across, I am going to be a HORRIBLE doctor. We had our first mock interview today with actors playing as patients. Of course, none of my classmates want to go first except for me. Why did I have to be the rebel and volunteered? I have no idea. So basically, I nose-dived into the interview and basically didn’t do so well, lol. He caught me off guard with the statement, “I have Lyme Disease.” What the heck? Where did that come from? I was not expecting that, and the domino effect kept going. In addition, he talked fast, which gave me little time to think about the next question. I basically stumbled along the way.
After the gruesome interview, I realized that I wasn’t really thinking of him as a patient. I wasn’t really connecting with him as a person. I saw him as a puzzle. He was something that needed to be solved. He needed to fit into a template that I had in my head, and that prevented me from connecting with him on a personal level (as well as 36 eyeballs staring at me).
I tell you. Everyone who went after me did really well. I was the the black sheep of the group. Well, I guess when you start low, all that’s left is going up.
Posted by Thao on September 10, 2008 at 7:30 am
Ahh the wonders of the internet.
Well when you start low, at least people won’t see you as a threat and might be a bit friendlier to you. They won’t see you coming from behind and then one day, you’ll catch them off guard and shine with brilliance. =]
Posted by Rebecca on September 10, 2008 at 5:04 pm
This is why I never volunteer to go first
I’m sure you’re just being modest, like always, and did a great job. It’s difficult to go first at something new. At least now you know exactly what to do the next time right?
Now you can also blow all their socks off when you improve (if desired). Improvement is always more noticeable than degradation or steady performance.
Posted by Brigitte on September 11, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I *always* volunteer to go second. Works perfectly, I tell you.
I’m sure you’ll do fine. You’re just getting started and actually learning.