Two and a quarter year has passed since I joined for post graduate training in general surgery. Although I know the limitations of my knowledge, I notice some development in my problem solving skills. An acquired way of thinking and analysing the data so as to reach a decision or a plan of action. I realised this when, one of my freshly joined junior asked me about a surgical consultation call he got from another department. I asked him whether he assessed the patient. He gave me a look "what am I going to do...I don't know what to do.." I too used to give the same reply till recently. But this made me think what is that thing that caused the change in the attitude.
It is the basics of science. The algorithm of working out problems. The first step is to talk with the patient and identify the complaint. Most of the time, the complaint conveyed by the nursing staff will be different. Then quantify the complaint. Check for the vitals , objective measurements of well being. Then segregate the abnormal values. This will give us the clue or lead point to the underlying problem. Many a time, it can be found after quantification that the problem is trivial or the surgical solution for that problem might be more weary than the problem itself.
Knowledge about the disease, the treatment the patient is on and the possible complications can give light to what the patient is complaining of. Consulting with the senior person about the problem which not clearly understood helps in creating management strategy for future. That's how the experience matters in medical field. Because every person is different, and no text book can give you ultimate answer for any question. The bottom line is, the more one try to involve in solving patient problems, the more chance that the problem could be solved. So do not try to avoid complaints, but take challenges, enjoy the doctor job.
It is the basics of science. The algorithm of working out problems. The first step is to talk with the patient and identify the complaint. Most of the time, the complaint conveyed by the nursing staff will be different. Then quantify the complaint. Check for the vitals , objective measurements of well being. Then segregate the abnormal values. This will give us the clue or lead point to the underlying problem. Many a time, it can be found after quantification that the problem is trivial or the surgical solution for that problem might be more weary than the problem itself.
Knowledge about the disease, the treatment the patient is on and the possible complications can give light to what the patient is complaining of. Consulting with the senior person about the problem which not clearly understood helps in creating management strategy for future. That's how the experience matters in medical field. Because every person is different, and no text book can give you ultimate answer for any question. The bottom line is, the more one try to involve in solving patient problems, the more chance that the problem could be solved. So do not try to avoid complaints, but take challenges, enjoy the doctor job.
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