Changing dressings on diabetic ulcers is not particularly pleasant. The oozing, the meticulousness of laying down protective layers, and the smell make the task less than ideal for even the strongest stomach. There I was as a 3rd year medical student, working with the resident team for well over an hour assembling the dressings on the patient’s legs to apply a wound vac. To make matters even worse and more uncomfortable, the patient continued to make sexual remarks about me. I kept quiet and finished the job with the rest of the team. In fact, even when we were done, no one mentioned the inappropriateness of the patient. It just went unsaid that this is something that is encountered frequently, and I continued to see the same patient on daily rounds.
How would you manage this patient’s neurologic impairment?
A 28-year-old female presents to the emergency department with an occipital headache and neck pain. She mentions her symptoms appeared after hyperextending her neck while playing tennis the day before. Examination reveals dysdiadochokinesia and decreased lateral vision. A contrast head and neck CT demonstrate the findings seen here. Based on this patient’s probable diagnosis, which of the following treatments is most appropriate?
Short Coat Podcast: Money and Medical School Applications
Updated November 13, 2021. The article was updated to correct minor grammatical errors and to … Read more
How to Thrive On a Rotation You Don’t Like
It is Friday afternoon at 4 pm. I’m headed to see a consult while simultaneously attempting to shove a granola bar in my mouth and respond to several pages. My intern is somewhere frantically discharging people and post-oping the day’s OR cases. My medical student lists along several feet behind me, dragging his feet and clearly hating life. The consult turns out to be operative, so I call my staff, book the OR, activate the emergency surgery pathway, consent the patient, talk to the family and write the note in rapid succession while my medical student hovers beside me. As I hit “sign” on my note, I hear the sharp intake of breath that heralds the coming question.
“Do you need me for anything else?”
“Well, we are taking this patient to the operating room. It should be a relatively quick, but interesting case. Would you like to join us?”
“Ummm.”
“I see. Well, you don’t have to. You can go.”
“Ok. Sounds good. Oh, and I was wondering, is it ok if I take this weekend off? My friend from college is getting married tomorrow and his bachelor party is tonight, so…”
“We usually have you guys round at least one day each weekend.”
“Oh, ok. It’s just that he’s, you know, my best friend, and I’m the best man, and I kinda have to stay out with him, so…”
“Fine. Have fun,” I respond, in a flat tone and turn back to my computer.
Purposeful Prescribing: A Dentist’s Role in the Opioid Epidemic
In our oral surgery student clinic, we have a laminated sheet to reference when writing … Read more
A World Healed of Trafficking: Healthcare’s Role in Confronting Modern-Day Slavery
A dozen clinic staff walked into the training with skepticism. “This is a waste of … Read more
Q&A with Dr. Ike Anya, Writer and Public Health Consultant
Dr. Ike Anya is a consultant in public health medicine, writer, honorary lecturer in Public Health at Imperial College London, cofounder of Nigeria Health Watch and cofounder and principal consultant of EpiAfric, a public health consultancy in Nigeria.
Dr. Anya obtained his medical degree at the University of Nigeria (1995), before eventually moving to the UK in 2001. Here, he obtained a Master’s from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, before completing the Southwest England public health training program in 2008.
Macroglossia and Edema—What Do You Suspect?
A 65-year-old male presents to his family physician with complaints of increasing fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and unintentional weight loss within the last six months. On examination, he is noted to have macroglossia and peripheral edema. Crackles are audible bilaterally on chest auscultation. Which of the following tests will help to confirm this patient’s most likely diagnosis?
Interview Prep, Opening Up, and Death.
And no, that’s not the three stages of your med school application.
’Tis the season to be applying to medical school. Which is why we got so many listener questions to address on this episode (thank you!) Listener Magnus wanted suggestions for how to prepare for MMI and regular admissions interviews, so we invited our resident experts, Amy A’Hearn (from CCOM med student admissions) and Tom O’Shea (from CCOM physician assistant admissions, for his experience with MMI interviews) to help out. They, along with Aline Sandouk, Jayden Bowen, Marc Moubarek and new co-host Shakoora Sabree, also answered questions from listeners Cameron and Sarah about whether opening up about personal/political views and sexual orientation is okay on applications and in interviews. And listener Jake wanted to know how med students learn to cope with death.
Working as a Paramedic to Gain Clinical Experience
Importance of Medical/Healthcare Experience as a Medical School Applicant
Healthcare is a broad field with multiple working parts that all accompany one another. Providers come from all walks of life and contribute a wide range of skills and abilities that each work integrally in order to provide a smooth patient care experience. Everyone that has any patient care responsibility can attest to the hardships—as well as the triumphs—that one faces while working in healthcare.
Similarities and Differences Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
OT or PT? Occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT) often work side-by-side, addressing similar … Read more
How to Choose Extracurriculars as a Premedical Student
You may have heard that there’s a “perfect formula” of undergraduate extracurricular activities sought by medical schools. Research experience? Check. Hospital volunteering? Check. A summer internship in a lab or clinical setting? Check.
While these endeavors might demonstrate your interest in and commitment to clinical medicine, the idea of selecting your extracurricular activities solely based upon this perfect formula ignores one key trait that medical school admissions committees are looking for in their applicants: authenticity. As you navigate your pre-medical years, you may be wondering how to cultivate a resume that evidences your investment in medicine but also leaves plenty of room for pursuing your other interests. The key to selecting your extracurriculars is to not treat these two intentions as mutually exclusive—medicine can overlap with your other interests (and vice versa). Check out these suggestions for choosing your undergraduate extracurriculars in a way that will please both you and admissions committees.
Writing That Personal Statement
Writing about yourself can be intimidating. Luckily, I’ve got this venue here for practice, but it really can be difficult, especially when it comes to writing to impress someone else, i.e. those on the selection committees of medical schools or residency program directors. It’s important to articulate yourself well and paint a picture of your personality in a way that makes them say, “Yes, I want this person to be in my program”. I recently finished up writing my personal statement for residency programs, so I have a few tips on how to go about this daunting process.
10 Items To Add To Your Back To School Shopping List
With the start of classes quickly approaching (and Amazon Prime Day just around the corner!) … Read more
Med School Youtubers, Pre-Med Experiences, and Overcoming Shyness
So many listener questions! Listener Amari returns to ask Aline Sandouk, Jayden Bowen, Tony Rosenberg, … Read more
Why is this urine bag purple?
An 80-year-old female with a history of diabetes and chronic constipation presents to the emergency department with a purple urine bag. She is currently bedridden and uses an indwelling catheter. On examination, she is hypotensive and confused. Blood cultures are positive for Proteus vulgaris. Based on this patient’s presentation, which of the following antibiotics should be commenced?
5 Ways You Can Help Prevent Your AMCAS® Application from Being Delayed
Many applicants applying with AMCAS strive to complete and submit their application as quickly as possible. However, an incomplete or incorrect application can cause delays — which may cause you to miss an important deadline. [Here are important dates to be aware of for the 2018-2019 application cycle.] Never fear: We talked to the staff who verify applications, and they shared some quick tips that can help prevent your 2019 AMCAS application from being delayed.
Impostor Phenomenon: What To Do When You Feel Like A Fraud
Updated July 29, 2021. The article was updated to correct minor grammatical and formatting errors. … Read more
What is the MCAT?
MCAT stands for the Medical College Admissions Test, which is an examination that one must … Read more
What Do I Do If I Need Help?
There is an exhilarating sensation that rushes through your veins when you first get a … Read more