Third Week/ Final Refection
During my third week, I continued to work with an amputee injured in a mining accident I observed two reconstructive surgeries on him as well as a surgery to implant a prosthetic. He had a very good attitude throughout the entire ordeal. I also worked with many hip and knee replacement patients in the clinic. Throughout the three weeks, excluding the amputee, I saw a total of 17 surgeries. The OR experience was good, but I was grateful to get to see the aspects of the clinic more. I loved being able to see how much one person can help so many people and I enjoyed being able to get personal with the patients that I saw. The clinic was good because I got to form relationships with the patients as well. Many of them were coming in for more than one appointment, and especially in the final week I got to get to know a lot of them. Everyday I found myself connecting with at least one patient and getting to see them helped. The hardest part of the three weeks was by far having to deal with difficult patient. Dr. Anderson dealt with several patients in long term care that had to have a nurse take them in. Most of these patients had diminished mental state and were aggravated that they weren't sure what was happening. He also dealt with lots of elderly patients who simply were angry, and very rude to me, Dr. Anderson, and the nursing staff. Going into this experience, I was very enthusiastic specifically about the OR part, and now, I have realized that I would like to go a more personal route of medicine. I had an overall good experience, and was so grateful that I was able to participate in these three weeks.
Second Week Reflection
My second week at Durango Orthopedics has been great. I spent much more time in the clinic as opposed to the OR than I did last week, and have decided that I enjoy it better. I was in the OR on Tuesday, and realized that while it is an amazing experience, I like the interactions I get to have with the patients in the clinic more. I am still getting to help people, but I can have a more personal connection with them which I like. The highlight of this week was meeting a 73 year old man that had a knee replacement 3 months ago. He got an infection in the incision and the implant had to be removed, and the infection had to be treated. It was a long and painful process, but he had an extremely upbeat and positive attitude to both the situation and life as a whole. He really inspired me and made me remember why I wanted to get into medicine in the first place-to help people. Altogether, the second week had been an awesome experience.
First Week Reflection
My first day was overwhelming. I was tasked with navigating the maze that is the hospital, convincing the receptionist that I was authorized to go into the OR, finding scrubs, and going into surgery all before 7:00 AM or seeing my mentor. I have been here for 4 days and the hardest part by far has been the things I have had to do completely independently, but I am starting to get the hang of it. I observed two hip replacement and a knee replacement, and learned that the OR is an extremely hectic place. I also realized that there are dozens of jobs and separate people that it takes to make a surgery go smoothly, a surgeon is only one of them. I met some amazing people that get to go to work and give people better lives everyday which I loved. I met an amputee on my third day at the clinic that was in a mining accident and lost his left leg. I am looking forward to working with him and Dr. Anderson's other patients. I am having an amazing time and love my internship so far.
Meet Temporary Badge holder Temp Observer #7.
Blog Post: February 12th
Finding a LINK was an exhausting process of emailing thousands of people and having no one respond. I finally found one in the 11th hour that I am thrilled about at Durango Orthopedics. I briefly met with my mentor Dr Anderson and am excited to see how a medical practice runs. I am optimistic about the experience and excited to get started with all off the people in the office and in the OR.
Final Link Project
For my project, I created a pamphlet for Durango Orthopedic Association about anterior hip replacements, their most common surgery. They are currently using these pamphlets in their office to give to patients preparing to undergo this surgery.