July 12, 2008
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Week 1
Already one week down in my month of gastroenterology and what have I learned?
First off, that 4th year is way better than 3rd. Not only are all my rotations in things I am definitely interested in, but the amount of responsibility and autonomy I have is increased as well. No longer does my evaluation of and opinionss on a patient amount to so much chattel.
Now when i go in to see a consult for the team I am the only one (at least on my service) following that patient. So while my fellow will still have occasional things to check up on, my word is pretty much taken as authoritative. This means that i even more motivated to do a complete, comprehensive history and physical, compared to before when the constant redundancy and checking up on me meant that if i didnt find something or do something, someone would.
Medical school is structured fairly nicely like that in the sense that each year you are given just a little bit more to handle while still having a safety net. Of coure, the greatest shrinking of my safety net takes places at the end of this year, when I become the one who has to make all the treatment plans and monitor someone instead of just making recommendations to the primary team. Nonetheless, I still have to come up with a diagnosis and plan even now, and for the moment at least i have usually been on the right track if not exactly the same thought processes.
Oh yeah, and I still need to pound out a personal statement even as a draft. Expect a terrible early draft up hopefully soon
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Why Not Zoidberg
Comments (5)
So you're saying that you're gearing up to play God--er, House?
Responsibility is such a bitch on the one hand but on the other, it's what keeps us sane. Also, just think of all your tax dollars that will go to support some bum who's never worked a day in his life. Don'tchya just love the system?
omg josh that is scary and exciting at the same time!! you're like skydiving tandem this time. next year... you're pulling the cord. i mean my stomach lurches thinking about it. wow! congrats. btw --the dinner thing--this week or next?
@CarmenDeBizet - i am at the end, in my final year
@Roninism - dude, there are so many times when you dont have a diagnosis and still have to treat. its fun, but scary
Safety nets are, in most cases, equal to a sigh of relief. Sort of related question: Are you at the end, middle, or semi end of Med. School?
wow. making a diagnosis. i dream of the day i will be able to do that. to sit there with all the empirical evidence i have culled from a patient and to be able to figure out what could be wrong with them...that sounds awesome.