It Hit the Fan!!!

The cubbies have been cleared out, our names label them now and the second years are out the door.  We, the first years are slowly taking over the nest.  In fact, their photos are coming off the window and ours, replacing them. 

As suspected, this second semester has exploded! Group case studies are taking over my life! One of our professors takes real cases she has worked and presents them to us. We research particular diseases, ask further questions related to physical exam, medications and/or social history.  We then create a differential diagnosis and state the reasons why for each presented disease. We ask for more tests, say: radiographs, labs...etc and then create a plan for the patient. All of this is called a SOAP note.  

We then take this researched info and present it to our professor.  

These case studies present themselves to me as a sense of challenge. ("Challenge accepted." Barney from How I Met Your Mother.) I want to do enough research that I can figure out the disorder/disease before presenting the case.

Another class is having us present group case studies as well.  However, the difference is how we do our research and presentation.  These case studies are more an evidence base type.  Only specific types of articles can be used.  Also, the cases are usually comparison style.  Meaning, research on two different subjects and present the evidence on what is deemed superior and why.

Let's add to the quantity of research to studying, classes, group meetings, professor meetings, church duties and family time.  Having two tests this week: Pharmacology (you remember the sweet, boring teacher...) and Pathophysiology. This semester is beginning to warrant little rest. 

I have the feeling that my first few years as a PA will be similar to this, constant cases with much needed research. In fact, I believe the research will continue throughout my entire career, which I'm cool with.

As some of you know, I work with the young men (the youth range from 12 - 18 y/o) in my church.  We teamed up with the young women and headed to the temple yesterday!  It was a fantastic opportunity to  assistant in baptisms for the dead. For those of you who don't know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe that people, if they didn't have a chance to hear about Christ in this life will have an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ in the next life.  As the bible states, one must be baptized to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  So, we perform proxy baptisms for those who have passed on.  Now, these baptisms don't mean that the deceased has to accept it.  In other words, free agency, they still have a choice to accept it or not.  

It was a wonderfully, spiritual experience!