Stop fidgeting!

Oh boy, am I *slightly* self-conscious now. Watching myself interact with the standardized patients from yesterday was certainly cringe-worthy but definitely helpful. I know realize how much I raise touch my face when I talk or wring my hands when I get nervous; how I need to be more aware of when the patient/actor is trying to lead me in one direction when they say something but I would take it in another. I felt confident about the patients I had connected with and it did show in my Communication Checklists I received but I was a little surprised at some of the scoring. I thought for most of my patients I would have scored a five on all four of them was "showing interest in me as a person" but I guess there is always room for improvement. Even though I felt as if the negatives mostly stood out at me I did enjoy hearing how some of the standardized patients thought I seemed as if I genuinely cared about them and connected with me.

Soon after that we shifted back downstairs to listen to a presentation given by Dr. Rob Morgan (an Anesthesiologist). Today, he came to talk to us about Organized Medicine and groups such as the South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) that keep physicians concerns on the forefront of medicine. It is disappointing to hear that the hospitals won't necessarily fight in the physicians best interest but will more likely go for the more practical and cheaper side (though this isn't always necessarily the case). Dr. Morgan also showed us some statistics that shocked me, especially how 45% of polled physicians said that they would not choose the same specialty. There were so many interesting parts of organized medicine that Dr. Morgan covered was an local app he had helped produce: Pulse Point. Being able to be notified about a nearby heart attack and using my BLS and lifeguarding experience to possibly help on the scene would be really cool! Not that I want people to have heart attacks so I can get more experience but it won't hurt to download it on my phone.

That afternoon, Dr. Paul Catalan came and spoke to us about Multidisciplinary Grand Rounds and the steps involved in patient care. For this research project I was lucky enough to be able to trade-into the surgery group, Man, was it fun! The case was such a puzzle and looking at it from every angle and talking it out with the other group members was such a blast. Aside from shadowing, this activity has probably assured me the most that I want to become a doctor.

- Morning Drive-in Jam -

Wicked Ones - Dorothy

Say It [Illenium Remix] - Flume, Tove Lo, Illenium

#MedExTierIII