what I learned this week....
- people will call a doctor for anything, and they will come to the ER for any problem, no matter how large or small.
- medicine is a lifestyle, not just a career.
- phrases such as "don't cut till I get there!" and "is it still fuzzy?" will seem crazy to a med student, but a seasoned doc will not blink an eye.
- days as a 3rd and 4th year student are going to be MUCH longer then those of a 1st and 2nd year med student.
- the waits in the ER and at a doctor's office aren't because a doctor is lollygagging around. We did more running around and data gathering and consulting then I ever could have understood. Between that running around and all of the paperwork that has to get done the wait is now somewhat understandable.
- there is a lot of paperwork in medicine. (even with electronic medical records)
- finding time to go to the bathroom is hard; note to self: remember that when throwing back the morning tea.
- the system of paging people is simple, yet at the same time, complex. I understand why pagers are a necessity and not an optional thing. Ditto for why there are so many phones in a hospital.
- do not eat red food (red sauce, dressing or other food that is RED) when wearing a white dress shirt. Do not eat red food while wearing a white coat. Do not eat red food at all while in a hopsital.
- medicine is a lifestyle, not just a career.
- phrases such as "don't cut till I get there!" and "is it still fuzzy?" will seem crazy to a med student, but a seasoned doc will not blink an eye.
- days as a 3rd and 4th year student are going to be MUCH longer then those of a 1st and 2nd year med student.
- the waits in the ER and at a doctor's office aren't because a doctor is lollygagging around. We did more running around and data gathering and consulting then I ever could have understood. Between that running around and all of the paperwork that has to get done the wait is now somewhat understandable.
- there is a lot of paperwork in medicine. (even with electronic medical records)
- finding time to go to the bathroom is hard; note to self: remember that when throwing back the morning tea.
- the system of paging people is simple, yet at the same time, complex. I understand why pagers are a necessity and not an optional thing. Ditto for why there are so many phones in a hospital.
- do not eat red food (red sauce, dressing or other food that is RED) when wearing a white dress shirt. Do not eat red food while wearing a white coat. Do not eat red food at all while in a hopsital.
posted by Kristen at 6:56 PM
8 Comments:
Doctors develop atonic bladders. That's from prolonged time periods full, with no chance to empty. The other thing doctors have way out of proportion to the general population is kidney stones. That's from not drinking enough fluids because there isn't time, and because you restrict your intake secondary to the first problem.
Red sauce rules are great, except for pizza. If you apply that rule to pizza, you will starve in the hospital setting.
No question the days are long. You sound like you are doing okay with it.
Looks like you'll have great support from your blog pals, like Laurie and Lorette when you get to read your email. The rest of us are here for you, too.
So not jealous of being you right now, but you sound like you're handling it beautifully. Best luck to you! :-)
Thanks for making me appreciate my easy life.
;-)
You could have the cafeteria add blue dye to the tomato sauce (since you're now a dye vetren) and voila!
PURPLE SPAGETTI!
julia fc
Hope you are enjoying your rotations! ANd hope all else is going well.
Hang in there - teachers never get to get to the bathroom either. I loved the post (even though it is a reflection of your current reality) and had a good laugh at your expense. Hope you don't mind.
I can't even tell you how many lab coats I have tossed out because of coffee stains. (I apparently can't walk and drink anything at the same time.)
And yes, people will come to the ER for just about anything. I even remember a few who came in for "routine" general checkups, then were pissed off because they had to wait in line behind the people bleeding to death.
Pee often, every chance you get. Also catch that moment of extra sleep whenever you can, even if it's in a restaurant with your head down on the table. Those are still my primary rules after 20 years of practice.
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