Pediatrics

I will admit as many of you have heard - I entered Peds with an open mind and much excitement -burning with desire to take of patients (finally after two years). Unfortunately most of my rotation has been boring as heck. The residents don't let us do histories and physicals. We either shadow them or go in and ask the patient "How were you overnight, any nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, fever, etc." and then do a 2 min exam (which can include ears, throat, chest, lung, abdomen, but usually not even all of these). That's it. I have been demoted to the ranks of a first year medical student who does nothing, knows nothing etc. I did more in physical diagnosis!!!

Changing tunes : maybe it's because I've been so bored, maybe it's the patients, the neurologist or all three -but this past week I have literally been on a high. I have seen the most incredible peds neuro cases. I came home today with so much excitement over a patient I saw that I can't even focus. All I want to do is look up articles about the condition(s) I will describe. I have a shelf in almost one week and know nothing about peds as a whole. All I want to do is study these neuro cases - as I said - I can't even focus on anything else. I have not felt this excited about anything in a while. This does not mean I can do peds neuro as a career (b/c I do not think I would enjoy peds residency) - but I am sad that the rotation is ending when I finally found something interesting.

The neurologist is awesome - despite a strange and harsh sense of humor. I was scared of him at first when he came bolting down the peds floor, busted into patient rooms, and went in and out so fast it was a blur. He asked us some questions - I had no clue about (like 3 types of infantile spasms). He asked who was interested in neuro. I said I was - and he simply laughed and said "you don't have to lie just to impress me." I was somewhat mortified. One time he asked a question and when a student began responding he suddenly interrupted "Stop. Just stop speaking now...nevermind." Geez I thought. However despite other harsh comments and several unsettling encounters I realized - hey - this guy may be a bit harsh - but he actually teaches! He taught me a lot! And turns out.........the patients LOVE him - not just like him - LOVE him - as in they will miss him when they stop having appointments. Pictures of patients with him and thank-you notes adorn the walls of both his office and the peds floor.

TO BE CONTINUED.....................