I completed my third internship experience. This time I felt much more relaxed in the medical setting. I knew what to expect and nothing really had changed. However, they did have a new medical assistant working with the patients. She was very kind and even let me help out with taking patient’s vitals. She kept mentioning that it was stressful being an employee of a hospital and having to follow their rules and regulations while working for an independent physician who had his own set of rules and expectations. This is something that I had never considered to be an issue before until now. Throughout the day I witnessed her discussions on the phone and with others about how stressful it was to try to make both parties “happy.” I wonder if she will still be working when I go back for my fourth internship.
The patients were wonderful to observe. I am fascinated by the various levels of pain tolerance reported by the patients for each of their medical issues. Some patients have a pinky sprain and can hardly function without heavy medication while an elderly patient who just had a joint replacement two weeks ago is already up an walking and “never touched the stuff” when asked if he needed anything for the pain.
I recognized a few patients from the last couple of times I was interning at the clinic. One of them recognized me. They all seem to be fine with me in the room with the doctor after he identifies who I am. I find that the patients will either make eye contact with the doctor only or on the rare occasion will glance in my direction. Surprisingly, quite a few of the patients brought in a “friend” or spouse. One patient’s friend spent the examination telling me about their friend’s medical issues at the same time the doctor was quizzing the patient. That definitely made things difficult for the doctor to understand.
Next time I will get to take some stitches out—should be exciting!
- Lily
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