ER: Life in the (not so) Fast Lane

For the last week and a half, I have been volunteering at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital ER/Critical Care.

And well, it has been quite a learning experince. Being stuck in Hungary, patient skills generally are not the best, and you do feel that in the clinics. Just for the fact, we cant ask the questions we want, and by not being able to ask what you want, you cant learn what you should/would ask. Sure, the in theory I know what to ask, but when you get in the room, there is usually something i forget. And this is one accept of my studies that I wanted to fix up.

This, I must admit was hard at first. When I started doing the histories, and presenting to the attendings, it was a bit discombulated. But after asking for feedback, and asking them to help me correct the manner in which I presented the material, it started to click.

I was able to fliter out the useless information, and keep my histories short and to the point. But that is just one step in ER care. The second one being test, seeing whats important and ordereing said tests. Which is easy if you order all the tests, but then whats the point??! Therefore learning when to order what, and then reading xrays, cts, ultrasounds and lab results and acting on it with proper treatment.

Most of the cases are COPD, Chest Pain, SOB (shortness of breath), Syncope, and Pain. I can see how this could/would get boring, but every now and then you get some things different and you see what ER medicine is all about.

Personally, I am learning quite a bit from all this, getting an idea as to how things work in Canada for the doctors, seeing the so-called ABX model. The respect given to patients (which most of the time is over looked in Hungary), and just the flow of an ER. Granted every hosptial is different, but you have to start somewhere.

Until next time.

Peace

Break Time

So, its been a while since I had something up here. I might as well do a proper update.

Now whats up since the last time I blogged?? Well, I am done my exams, all 13 of them. Dear God that was fun. Had the 4th year crap and some of the 5th year as well. All in all, everything went well and finished things in great form. Was able to finish the exams by Dec 22nd, and was home by the 25th! Just in time for christmas?? Ok, so not a big deal for me, but it is still a holiday.

Since then, I have been just chilling and relaxing. Calm down Mar, I am still working my options, and hope to hear something positive from the Hospital tomorrow.

But other then that, I had a GREAT new year party!!!! B4+2 was out in full action.
Pictures can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/dr.anarayan .
And now that everyone is moving away, damn you Ravi, damn you Nur (Sean and Neil, damn you half way I guess) this was one for the books.

Oh, so there was all this talk about www.facebook.com right. So I had said "No, I will never join". And what do I do?? I join it. Bah, I must say it is very powerful. Hi5/Myspace/Friendster are more or less the same I guess but Facebook seems to be the better of the lot.

With that, Happy New Year to anyone I did not wish.

Till I write again.

Peace

ARGGGGGGGG

SOMEONE STOLE MY SHOES!!!
MY BLACK ALDO'S LEATHER SHOES!!!

GONE. STOLEN. STUPID, THIEVING, GOOD FOR NOTHING HUNGARIANS!!!

WHO THE HELL STEALS SHOES?!!! REALLY?! YOU WALKED IN WITH SHOES... WALK OUT WITH YOUR OWN DAMN SHOES. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO STEAL MINE.

ARG!

Things that Piss Me Off. Part 1

Ok, so its been a while since I wrote anything worth while. But now its time for a true set of Ramblings. As you can see this post will be about things that piss me off. But if I dont narrow down this I could be writing on this topic for ever.

So this part will focus on things in the Clinics that upset me. This list is not in any order, just in the order that it came to my head. So here I go.

1) NO LAB COATS: I mean, what the hell... you are a 4th year medical student and you cant remember to bring your lab coat?! GO HOME! and when people argue that they dont need it... come on!!!!!
2) Dirty Lab Coats: I saw a YELLOW lab coat this term. Or better, lab coats with blood stains. Or even still, the de-colouration from Anatomy. Ok, please, just clean your lab coat once a year. Note: I think my lab coat could use a wash as well
3) Wrinkly Lab coats: Ok, not a big deal. But still, its ok I guess.
4) No Equipment: Like not having the stethoscope. Ok, this was ok last year when we were in Immunology, but when you are in Cardiology how are you going to listen to the heart?! I mean its Cardiology!!!
5) Hats / Bandannas: By this I mean baseball / trucker hats. Really?? How many doctors do you see wearing a baseball cap? Hu? Wait.. NONE!!!! Arg!! And bandannas?? Really... If your hair is that bad, GET A HAIR CUT!
6) Uncombed Hair / Unshaven : This is nothing big at all.. I am guilty for the unshaven most of the time, but still... In an ideal system, we would all look professional. But if you come to the clinics looking like Side Show Bob, you need a hair cut! Or just use a weed whacker, it might work better for some people!
7) Sunglasses: ok, there is no need to leave the sunglasses on your head. There is no time during the examination that you will need them. Leave them in your bag, and pick them up later.
8) Cellphones /Mp3 Players: We all do it, but try not to answer your phone during the time you are looking at a patient. And as for mp3 players, we all have them (myself included), but try and remove the headphones from your ears???
9) Inappropriate Attire: This is a topic that could go on for ever. Lets try and narrow it down. First in General: Dirty, smelly and just unclean clothing. And clothing such as sweatpants, hoodies, or shirts that have wrong things written on them. But sure, most Hungarians cant read English and our lab coats to cover the shirt.. but if the coat is open, do you really want the doctors reading what your shirt says?
Men: Well, for men, its mainly the general stuff, and one special case being leaving collars up on shirts or lab coats... Really?? Whats the need?!
Women: Now this is the long part. I have seen it all. Not to say I mind it, but when it looks like your doctor just came from her shift from the corner of God knows where it's just not good. With the low siting jeans, and shirts that dont cover much, not much is left. Sure, some will argue that the lab coat will cover all, and yes this is true. But I go back to my point of when you leave your lab coat open. If you are dressed like you are going to a club, go to the club. Don't come to the clinic.
10) Inappropriate Behaviour: Now this includes the cellphones and all that (even i am guilty at times), and a new one I saw. Taking pictures in the patients room, while the rest of the people are discussing the patient. I mean, would you like it if a group of student doctors came and some were fooling around and taking pictures, talking, laughing? Other small stuff like, not saying hello, or saying thank you / goodbye when you leave. People, the patient is till a person! Arg!!!

I think that for all right now. If anyone wants to add things, or disagrees with what I said let me know. I would love to talk about this.

Peace

Vienna Trip

Zagreb, Croatia

So on a whim, I went to Croatia this last weekend.

I will update the details later, but here are the pics.

I am still using the msn till i can figure out the new blogger beta.. arg...

here are the photos!!

check out more photos on Helgi's site. he has some good ones as he tries to blind me during the trip. He failed... but knowing him, he will try again.

Now for the next trip, Vienna, during the long weekend coming up at the end of this month.

Peace
Abhishek

Stupid~

Ok, so I changed to Blogger Beta.. and now i cant post any pics..... I have no idea whats going on!

Bah!!!

I will try and fix this and get the birthday pics online right away. For now, the pics are on MSN live space.

http://anarayan.spaces.live.com/ See if that works... Bah. Stupid Google and stupid Blogger Beta.

PeAcE