On Tuesday I went to a presentation called "Gifts Our Patients Give Us." It was a timely reminder of why our jobs aren't just a job and the importance of being grateful for it. Panel members and several in the audience shared things they've learned from their patients. I kept my hand down because I had a hard time keeping a handle on my tears as it was, but I wrote down a few thoughts for later (aka now).
I am grateful for the trust that parents give me, letting me take care of their children in a vulnerable time, and that they open their lives to let me in. I'm grateful for Emma, who taught me that death isn't the worst thing, and that life is worth celebrating. I'm grateful for Taya, whose hugs and smiles always brightened my day. I'm grateful for Aidan, who made all of us laugh at 2 in the morning with his racecar noises. I'm grateful for parents who are physicians and have to learn how to be both. I'm grateful for the dad who was in the middle of a crisis and still took the time to thank me by name. And I'm grateful that I recognize how incredible it is that I get to experience this every day.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Teaching the next generation
I remember feeling a little bit sad when I found out that I wouldn't be working with pediatrics residents at the Network sites. I was looking forward to imparting my incredible amount of knowledge (see: 160-pages-of-content-specs-for-boards) on the world's future pediatricians. Turns out all the peds residents end up in the main ED and as yet there are no urgent care electives. Instead we get medical students. You know, the same med students that were super annoying when I was a resident? They asked inane questions and were worthless and took your computer and your free lunches? And then they expected you to teach them?
Just kidding. (Mostly) I did become invested enough in shepherding the little mongrels that they gave me a teaching award my intern year. Then I graduated to trying to teach my interns something, and they became my little pet projects and punching bags (and the students took a really far away back seat).
Well, fast forward to my big girl job, where it's medical students or nothing. Turns out I like teaching. I know from experience that they will retain about 11.2% of what I tell them, but it's still fun to try. At least most of the time. Hint to any future or current medical students reading this (yeah, right): at least ACT interested. It makes me want to tolerate your presence and maybe even go out of my way to show you things.
Like last night when I was 10 minutes from my shift being over, and I saw a two year old with chief complaint of "arm injury". For all of you who didn't memorize those 160 pages, that means Nursemaid's elbow until proven otherwise. Which just happens to be one of my favorite diagnoses. Easy, dramatic cure which never fails to impress the parents. Since I love Nursemaid's and since my current med student is on the far end of the "interested" spectrum, I grabbed her so she could do the reduction. Her reaction was gratifyingly similar to mine: "That was awesome!"
Did I mention this was after said medical student made a run to Starbucks for chocolate cake pops? I have the best job.
And apparently I'm invested enough in the next generation of doctors that every medical student I've worked with (and three of the residents at the main ED when I was learning the ropes) has asked me to do their evaluation. From experience, that is an honor and leap of faith not bestowed on just any attending, because that stuff goes in the Dean's Letter (aka Your Ticket to Match Day). Not that I care so much about that as I want to be able to give back in the same way my mentors did when they taught me.
Which is why I signed up to be a preceptor to a brand-spanking-new medical student for the next three years. She's so cute--"What are retractions?" I only hope I can do the preceptor experience justice and that by the end she's learned something about taking care of kids. It's a daunting task, but I think I'm up to the challenge.
Just kidding. (Mostly) I did become invested enough in shepherding the little mongrels that they gave me a teaching award my intern year. Then I graduated to trying to teach my interns something, and they became my little pet projects and punching bags (and the students took a really far away back seat).
Well, fast forward to my big girl job, where it's medical students or nothing. Turns out I like teaching. I know from experience that they will retain about 11.2% of what I tell them, but it's still fun to try. At least most of the time. Hint to any future or current medical students reading this (yeah, right): at least ACT interested. It makes me want to tolerate your presence and maybe even go out of my way to show you things.
Like last night when I was 10 minutes from my shift being over, and I saw a two year old with chief complaint of "arm injury". For all of you who didn't memorize those 160 pages, that means Nursemaid's elbow until proven otherwise. Which just happens to be one of my favorite diagnoses. Easy, dramatic cure which never fails to impress the parents. Since I love Nursemaid's and since my current med student is on the far end of the "interested" spectrum, I grabbed her so she could do the reduction. Her reaction was gratifyingly similar to mine: "That was awesome!"
Did I mention this was after said medical student made a run to Starbucks for chocolate cake pops? I have the best job.
And apparently I'm invested enough in the next generation of doctors that every medical student I've worked with (and three of the residents at the main ED when I was learning the ropes) has asked me to do their evaluation. From experience, that is an honor and leap of faith not bestowed on just any attending, because that stuff goes in the Dean's Letter (aka Your Ticket to Match Day). Not that I care so much about that as I want to be able to give back in the same way my mentors did when they taught me.
Which is why I signed up to be a preceptor to a brand-spanking-new medical student for the next three years. She's so cute--"What are retractions?" I only hope I can do the preceptor experience justice and that by the end she's learned something about taking care of kids. It's a daunting task, but I think I'm up to the challenge.
Monday, November 11, 2013
The White City
I just finished reading "Devil in the White City" and wondering what took me so long. I think Michelle's had it sitting on her bookshelf for about 4 years. I thoroughly enjoyed the history of Chicago in the time of the great World's Fair--the challenges of architecture in the city, the trouble with workers' unions, the origin of the Ferris Wheel and PBR, and the effects this one event had on our country for the following century.
It was also a fascinating look at the success and power of two men who had great ingenuity, determination, and influence, and how differently their lives played out. One man--Daniel Burnham--was the driving force behind the building of the World's Fair, the world's greatest architect of the time, and probably one of the biggest reasons the fair succeeded at all. He orchestrated things that even with today's technology and advancements, would seem incredible. The other man--a physician who went by the pseudonym H. H. Holmes--was a psychopath in the classic form, putting up a very convincing front of charm and innocence while murdering probably dozens of people in nearly broad daylight. Both men put significant effort and planning into their respective dreams, to starkly different effects.
What makes one man's dream of greatness change the world and another man's lead to death? The book gave very little insight into the upbringing and moral formation of these two men, though I suspect that had a good deal to do with it. It highlights the importance of an informed conscience, of the building up of virtue, of the importance of looking outside oneself. For even though Burnham started with the goal of notoriety, in the end he fought for the glory of his city and his people, which Holmes thought only of his perverse pleasure.
I'm sure Larson's next book "In the Garden of Beasts" will make it's way into my hands sooner rather than later.
It was also a fascinating look at the success and power of two men who had great ingenuity, determination, and influence, and how differently their lives played out. One man--Daniel Burnham--was the driving force behind the building of the World's Fair, the world's greatest architect of the time, and probably one of the biggest reasons the fair succeeded at all. He orchestrated things that even with today's technology and advancements, would seem incredible. The other man--a physician who went by the pseudonym H. H. Holmes--was a psychopath in the classic form, putting up a very convincing front of charm and innocence while murdering probably dozens of people in nearly broad daylight. Both men put significant effort and planning into their respective dreams, to starkly different effects.
What makes one man's dream of greatness change the world and another man's lead to death? The book gave very little insight into the upbringing and moral formation of these two men, though I suspect that had a good deal to do with it. It highlights the importance of an informed conscience, of the building up of virtue, of the importance of looking outside oneself. For even though Burnham started with the goal of notoriety, in the end he fought for the glory of his city and his people, which Holmes thought only of his perverse pleasure.
I'm sure Larson's next book "In the Garden of Beasts" will make it's way into my hands sooner rather than later.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
A Moment of Gratitude
A lot of people take the month of November as an occasion to offer thanks. I'm not so organized as to remember to document daily, but I will jump on the band wagon right now.
Things I'm particularly grateful for:
a job I really enjoy that is challenging, rewarding, and allows me to enjoy my down time
coffee in the morning (and Lucky Charms)
electric blankets
a warm house and a dog that motivates me to get off my butt and take him for a walk
coworkers that are as bad at pool as I am
long lists of books to read
my friends, of all sorts, that truly do give me a sense of communion
being happy
I'm going to try to be more aware of things to be grateful for this month, and always.
Things I'm particularly grateful for:
a job I really enjoy that is challenging, rewarding, and allows me to enjoy my down time
coffee in the morning (and Lucky Charms)
electric blankets
a warm house and a dog that motivates me to get off my butt and take him for a walk
coworkers that are as bad at pool as I am
long lists of books to read
my friends, of all sorts, that truly do give me a sense of communion
being happy
I'm going to try to be more aware of things to be grateful for this month, and always.
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