I share my expectations for students who work with me on the inpatient general medicine service. I expect this will be of enormous help to medical students and attending physicians.
All except the female dress code. My best medical experience was an endoscopy by a female gastroenterologist in Puerto Rico wearing a micro miniskirt. She had to be wondering why I was laughing, and without and medication.
I started reading this post as I walked off the unit this evening after another day as the Pediatric Hepatology/Liver Transplant attending on service. I figured there would be some wisdom I could adopt for my trainees. At the elevator I was berating myself for being too soft on the interns, at the entrance to the garage I was giggling, and by the time I got to my car I was laughing out loud! Thanks for making 6 pm on a Sunday on service much lighter! I also feel empowered to insist that trainees use “succus” and “bilious” as appropriate noun and verb respectively, understand that albumin is the cure for all ills in cirrhosis, and never ask me about diabetes, which I “don’t do” 😂
We should all identify the part of the essay where we transitioned from “this is so good!” to, “ok, this is satire”.
For me, it was the part about the level of regret with tattoos… i find myself always wondering about peoples tattoos, what they mean, why they got it, and ALWAYS wonder if they regret them. But i never verbalize any of this😢, understanding that the regret part will probably land me in HR.
What should I wear again? Puddle sign? I'll have to look that one up. Do you guys race all over the hospital like we do, or are your patients in one place? I'm literally running to keep up!
This is so good. Working through the emotions associated with "Wait! I did all this work and the only benefit is that now I understand porphyria?" is a good experience for everyone to have although I did not enjoy it at the time.
I kept thinking of the green covered VA journal I called my peripheral brain and kept in the pocket of my labcoat while reading this. The silky labels made using the credit card sliding printer followed by all of the pertinent details about my patients. The mammoth computer monitor that only provided lab results dutifully noted on the results tree in the three ring binder chart of paper. My high-heeled pumps with skirts and dresses that I tromped around in for 10+ hours every day...I suspect all replaced by athletic pants, Hokas and iPhones with apps now. Ah, the good old days...
So many hilarious memories evoked from this piece from my own experience as housestaff on CTU (what we called our general Med unit). And those rounds weren’t called “shifting dullness” for nothing.
As for questionable things to demonstrate in front of the team, not sure anything can beat “puddle sign”.
You probably would’ve been very irritated with me on your team 😉
First of all Dr. Cifu, I didn't realize you had this depth of humor and sarcasm in you! Quite impressed. Second, I saw those doctors and med students. I wasn't even part of their rounds and I was shaking in my blue uniform, white stockings, white shoes, and cap. I always hurriedly found 100 little things to take care of at the other end of the wing while they monopolized the hall.
All except the female dress code. My best medical experience was an endoscopy by a female gastroenterologist in Puerto Rico wearing a micro miniskirt. She had to be wondering why I was laughing, and without and medication.
Shades of “House of God” one of the best “medical” books I ever read : TWICE.
I started reading this post as I walked off the unit this evening after another day as the Pediatric Hepatology/Liver Transplant attending on service. I figured there would be some wisdom I could adopt for my trainees. At the elevator I was berating myself for being too soft on the interns, at the entrance to the garage I was giggling, and by the time I got to my car I was laughing out loud! Thanks for making 6 pm on a Sunday on service much lighter! I also feel empowered to insist that trainees use “succus” and “bilious” as appropriate noun and verb respectively, understand that albumin is the cure for all ills in cirrhosis, and never ask me about diabetes, which I “don’t do” 😂
Excellent. Insightful satire is my love language.
We should all identify the part of the essay where we transitioned from “this is so good!” to, “ok, this is satire”.
For me, it was the part about the level of regret with tattoos… i find myself always wondering about peoples tattoos, what they mean, why they got it, and ALWAYS wonder if they regret them. But i never verbalize any of this😢, understanding that the regret part will probably land me in HR.
Maybe hilarious, but reading this I got sad. It remembered me of those sad and terrifying first days of learning.
And if this is true to the lines, it will only create those drug dealer monsters that many of me colleagues became.
Regretting not going to med school back in the day…you sound like a blast to work with.
What should I wear again? Puddle sign? I'll have to look that one up. Do you guys race all over the hospital like we do, or are your patients in one place? I'm literally running to keep up!
This is so good. Working through the emotions associated with "Wait! I did all this work and the only benefit is that now I understand porphyria?" is a good experience for everyone to have although I did not enjoy it at the time.
I kept thinking of the green covered VA journal I called my peripheral brain and kept in the pocket of my labcoat while reading this. The silky labels made using the credit card sliding printer followed by all of the pertinent details about my patients. The mammoth computer monitor that only provided lab results dutifully noted on the results tree in the three ring binder chart of paper. My high-heeled pumps with skirts and dresses that I tromped around in for 10+ hours every day...I suspect all replaced by athletic pants, Hokas and iPhones with apps now. Ah, the good old days...
The footwear change is the only major upgrade and I personally have embraced it enthusiastically.
Speak for yourself. I just turned 30. 😉
😂
I remember those labels!!!!
I suspect that clearly identifies us as “of a certain age!”
God, this brings back so many memories
So many hilarious memories evoked from this piece from my own experience as housestaff on CTU (what we called our general Med unit). And those rounds weren’t called “shifting dullness” for nothing.
As for questionable things to demonstrate in front of the team, not sure anything can beat “puddle sign”.
You probably would’ve been very irritated with me on your team 😉
Ultrasound has removed the need for that indignity. And I for one cannot recall such small amounts of ascites ever being clinically relevant.
I am convinced the puddle sign is only discussed, never elicited.
How about: "talk with the nurses - they will make or break your rotation."
I couldn't find the 'Laughing hilariously' symbol or emoji, and so therefore i had to post this message.
I’m glad I never went to med school, doc. I was taking you seriously until my wife straightened me out. (We’re both PhDs, not RDs—real doctors!)
He is being serious.
First of all Dr. Cifu, I didn't realize you had this depth of humor and sarcasm in you! Quite impressed. Second, I saw those doctors and med students. I wasn't even part of their rounds and I was shaking in my blue uniform, white stockings, white shoes, and cap. I always hurriedly found 100 little things to take care of at the other end of the wing while they monopolized the hall.
Was the student leaning against the wall in the hall?
LOL funny AND scary how much this is what actually goes on between teachers and apprentices!