I must admit, learning and practising on dummies (and unwitting medics) do help - lay down the basics first, so to speak. But having to apply whatever you've been doing all along in clinical skill centres in ED? It scared the sh*t out of me initially. I shudder at the mere thought of screwing things up: from "botching" veins during IV cannulations (and having to "jab" over and over again) to forgetting my suturing techniques when I come face-to-face with a laceration that needed, well, stitching. Whatever would people think of me, should I leave a trail of mess and (God forbid) calamity?
With the exception of a few, I guess we all are afraid of messing up, some way or another.
Just one week into my ED rotation, I've cannulated so many patients (and "blown" even more veins in the process) that I think I'm getting immune to the whole thing already. So screw what people may think! =P Not that I'm turning into some cold-hearted prick, mind you. Lol. Rather, I now view my time in ED as an opportunity to practise (and hopefully improve on) my procedural skills.
Of course, the same cannot be said still for basic suturing (only did it once last Saturday, and boy did my hands shake badly!!!), but I suppose I'll improve if I keep at it. =P
What I like about applying my somewhat rudimentary skills into practice is the fact I start questioning things that I normally do not think of in "theoretical settings". Like how to keep my gloved hands and equipment sterile most of the time, what could I change with the way I do certain things to increase my efficacy, what works for one patient but does not for another.... so many questions, so many possibilities. Keeps me up on my toes, and hence I'm loving it. XD
The downside of ED? It's very unpredictable - one moment it can be empty, almost serene, and before you know it, you've got your hands full.... running up to clerk a patient or two, while the nurses/doctors call upon you to cannulate, take bloods, update patient records and prepare backslabs.
Truthfully? I prefer to be kept busy while I'm on duty. There's nothing worse than having NOTHING to do at all during your shift. It sure bores me to my wits. ><"
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This is something totally unrelated to the above entry, but I just received an email from a friend, who told me about a friend of hers (in Malaysia) who has Caffey's Syndrome and needs an orthopaedic consult. I haven't done my reseach yet as to what Caffey is about and what is its usual mode of treatment, but my friend here is looking for a good orthopaedic surgeon (in Malaysia) who specializes in ortho conditions seen in children. Any recommendations?
Labels: Medicine/Hospitals/Medics
