The following are links to documents that I have created throughout my first rotation.

The following is a link to a History and Physical I presented during my site evaluation on a patient presenting with right leg swelling x 1 week: hp1_leg_wound (1)

The following is a link to a journal article and summary (first page of attached document) that helped me understand the patient’s (described in the H&P above) treatment: bonanni2017

The following is a link to a report generated via Typhon that lists my hours, diagnoses I saw, and some of the procedures I did: tally2

The following is my site evaluation summary:

I had 2 site evaluations. The first one was more difficult than the first because I scheduled it right after my 24-hour call (during post-call) because I didn’t want to miss time from rotations. Although I was tired, the visit went well. Our evaluator gave us feedback on our H&Ps and quizzed us on our pharm cards. The second evaluation also went well . Again, our evaluator gave us feedback on our H&Ps and quizzed us on our pharm cards.

The following is my reflection of this rotation:

Exposure to new techniques or treatment strategies – how did that go?

Before this rotation, I had never done a dressing change. On my second day, I was thrown into 6 patients who required dressing changes that morning before and during rounds. Luckily, I was with 3 other students. They did  the dressing changes as I watched. I paid attention to their techniques, their overall approach to the patient, and the materials they made sure to carry. The next day, there were some wet-to-dry dressings that needed to be done again. Because I had seen them being done the previous day, I offered to do them. Although I put on my most confidence face, the patient seemed nervous about me changing his painful dressing.  Nonetheless, I did it correctly and the patient was appreciative.

By the end of the rotation, I was making sure we had gauze, saline flushes, tape, etc. The new students just arrived and they looked shocked at the ease and confidence with which I was doing the dressing changes. This moment was significant because the phrase, “see one, do one, teach one” came alive. I showed them what I was doing and they slowly learned how to do the dressing changes. I’m sure in a few weeks, they’ll also be teaching new students and looking confident as well.

Interpersonal challenges and how you addressed them

During this rotation, I worked with 2 other medical students. I did not get along with them. They downplayed the role of the PA and were overly aggressive with the OR. I had to quickly learn how to stand on the fine line of being assertive but not aggressive. Initially, I was too passive, but by the end, I was making it known what I wanted and that their behavior was inappropriate.  I am glad that I had this experience early on in my rotations because I can carry this assertiveness to future rotations.

What was a memorable patient or experience that I’ll carry with me?

The vascular surgeon had recently done a below the knee amputation. The patient was admitted to floor and had been there for several days because the rehab facility had several qualms and requirements that had to be met before he could leave. One day, the surgeon found me and began to discuss the psychological role of healing a patient who received an amputation. He told me that the nurses were saying that the patient was just sitting slumped in bed all day. So, the surgeon asked me if I could take some time out of each day whenever I got the chance to just chat with him for no more than 10 minutes.  After I did this just twice, the man’s mood changed. By the end of the rotation, he was asking other PAs and doctors where I was because I would “lift up his spirits” when I came to see him.

I will never forget how just 10 minutes of my day brightened up this man’s outlook.

What do you want to improve on for the following rotations? What is your action plan to accomplish that?

I would like to be more assertive and not speak so quietly. I have always had an issue with this. I want to not be worried about coming off the wrong way so much. Although this is important, worrying too much about others impressions of you can actually be very hurtful because it prevents you from truly being yourself.