Today was just fun, fun, fun. We split into groups of three to practice doing a patient-doctor visit. First, we'd greet the patient and ask for the reason behind the visit. Second, we'd ask about past medical history, social history, etc. Taking vitals (pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and temperature) is next, followed by any necessary physical exam procedures. My group and I had a blast! I have improved at taking blood pressure using the stethoscope and cuff. The first time I did it, I couldn't hear anything at all but it really did improve after that. Activities like these remind me of WHY I want to do medical school. I really like the patient-doctor interaction. I just can't wait to practice on a real patient :)
Afterward, we worked a bit on our HCD group project, which we are presenting next Wednesday in front of everyone. Our topic is really cool (precocious puberty), so I can't wait to share what we've found with others!
After lunch, we headed to our anatomy portion of Friday. We had three lectures in a row, all about cardiology. In fact, a cardiologist at UNMC came to speak with us. We learned that approximately 400-500 ECGs are read daily at UNMC (wow!). A few random facts: in 1856, people first began to understand that electrical activity is associated with cardiac contraction. And after about 6.2 seconds of no heartbeat, a person passes out.
Last day of gross anatomy lab. I am sad, to be honest. It was the first time in my life I've ever seen a cadaver and began to see anatomy in a new light. Not just the 'scientific' aspect of it, but the idea that those cadavers are individuals who were once like us, and turned their death into a beginning for medical students--and students like me who are just getting a taste of the field--that idea makes me smile and shiver at the same time. Smile because it is so fascinating. Shiver because cadavers were once humans like us.
Afterward, we worked a bit on our HCD group project, which we are presenting next Wednesday in front of everyone. Our topic is really cool (precocious puberty), so I can't wait to share what we've found with others!
After lunch, we headed to our anatomy portion of Friday. We had three lectures in a row, all about cardiology. In fact, a cardiologist at UNMC came to speak with us. We learned that approximately 400-500 ECGs are read daily at UNMC (wow!). A few random facts: in 1856, people first began to understand that electrical activity is associated with cardiac contraction. And after about 6.2 seconds of no heartbeat, a person passes out.
Last day of gross anatomy lab. I am sad, to be honest. It was the first time in my life I've ever seen a cadaver and began to see anatomy in a new light. Not just the 'scientific' aspect of it, but the idea that those cadavers are individuals who were once like us, and turned their death into a beginning for medical students--and students like me who are just getting a taste of the field--that idea makes me smile and shiver at the same time. Smile because it is so fascinating. Shiver because cadavers were once humans like us.