|
Friday, November 21, 2003
|
High Index of Suspicion
As medical students we are often reminded in our textbooks and even by our predecessors to always have a high index of suspicion in dealing with an illness. I heard a doctor once say that the problem with those people in the medical profession is that whenever a relative or a family presents with a complaint, we think of the least debilitating disease as a possibility. However, whenever we ourselves are confronted with a certain sign or symptom, the gravest possibility comes to mind first. I dont know, but I think the most plausible explanation of this is that the statement "high index of suspicion" becaomes innate in us that that is what actually happens.
So, would that make us good doctors or not? I guess it is a good attitude in itself. It is a way to hone our inquisitive thinking as a physician. But overdoing it would really be more of a minus than a plus because it would then lead to being obsessive compulsive. Maintaining a balance is still the key and having a positive attitude towards disease (eventhough disease is a definite negative) is the key to providing care and possibly the cure.
By Jitney Girl @ 9:04 AM
|
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
|
PARTIAL ABORTION
President Bush signed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 last November 5, 2003. It was on headlines everywhere... Hmm... having gone through the OB-GYNE module, i'm aware of the different kinds of abortion... But PARTIAL ABORTION? Hmm... what's that?
So i searched for literature over the net, and I came across the actual copy of the "Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003". There, partial birth abortion is defined as an abortion in which a physician delivers an unborn child's body until only the head remains inside the womb, punctures the back of the child's skull with a Sharp instrument, and sucks the child's brains out before completing delivery of the dead infant
What in the world is going on in America? To think that such a procedure has been devised seemed... inhumane.
Upon further reading, I've discovered that partial-birth abortion poses serious risks to the health of a woman undergoing the procedure. Those risks include, among other things: an increase in a woman's risk of suffering from cervical incompetence, a result of cervical dilation making it difficult or impossible for a woman to successfully carry a subsequent pregnancy to term; an increased risk of uterine rupture, abruption, amniotic fluid embolus, and trauma to the uterus as a result of converting the child to a footling breech position, a procedure which, according to a leading obstetrics textbook, "there are very few, if any, indications for . . . other than for delivery of a second twin"; and a risk of lacerations and secondary hemorrhaging due to the doctor blindly forcing a sharp instrument into the base of the unborn child's skull while he or she is lodged in the birth canal, an act which could result in severe bleeding, brings with it the threat of shock, and could ultimately result in maternal death.
What is more surprising is that there are claims that Partial Abortion is safe, or is safer than that of other abortion procedures! Are they kidding? And referring to the definition of partial abortion, I can't think of a condition where it would be deemed necessary to perform such abominable procedure! Being in a royal pontifical institution, of course I condemn intentional abortion, partial or not. In fact, I'm fuming mad right now as i write this. I'm with George (we're first name basis, you know... hehe) when he signed the law. Not only would it stop the baby killing... but it would also protect mothers from unnecessary lethal complications. Here's an excerpt of Bush's speech when he signed the law :
"America stands for liberty, for the pursuit of happiness and for the unalienable right of life. And the most basic duty of government is to defend the life of the innocent. Every person, however frail or vulnerable, has a place and a purpose in this world. Every person has a special dignity. This right to life cannot be granted or denied by government, because it does not come from government, it comes from the Creator of life. (Applause.)
In the debate about the rights of the unborn, we are asked to broaden the circle of our moral concern. We're asked to live out our calling as Americans. We're asked to honor our own standards, announced on the day of our founding in the Declaration of Independence. We're asked by our convictions and tradition and compassion to build a culture of life, and make this a more just and welcoming society. And today, we welcome vulnerable children into the care and protection of Americans. "(Applause.)
and to make things even more interesting...about the same time that all of this is happening, NASA has released the photographs of the "Largest-in-History" solar flare in history :
there are four frames in this GIF file. Look at the 3rd frame carefully, and you might see what looks like a fetus coming out from the sun!! Can't see it? this might help...
Ok this started to freak me out. This flare came from "Region 486" on the Sun, on the same day reporters were writing about Bush's signing against Partial Birth Abortions while other lawmakers were renewing their fight against RU-486, as reported that same day. The "coincidence" (or SIGN from God?) was uncanny that this burst from the Sun, the largest in recorded history was effectively showing a fetus image... some say that there's even a child's face coming out of the sun. See it?
I see it. But the truth is, we physicians do not need a "heavenly" sign to know right from wrong. That's what our conscience is for.
By Doc Broks @ 12:14 PM
|
Monday, November 17, 2003
|
Acute Appendicitis
Last Saturday, while preparing to attend a wedding of my classmate in Cabanatuan City, I was confronted with a slight pain in my periumbilical area. I was not bothered at first but upon remembering that I had a moderate to severe colicky pain in my epigastric area 2 days before made me really nervous. Could this be acute appendicitis?
I never undergone surgery my entire life and I really dread going under the knife. "Oh please this can't be it", I thought to myself. In an act of desperation, I started texting and calling my classmates and friends. I told them my HPI and the dilemma of whether to go to the wedding or not. (Cabanatuan is a good 3 hour drive minus the traffic, by the time I reach Manila in case my appendix ruptures, I know I'm a goner). Everyone told me that it's just somatization but I told them that it's for real. I tried eliciting all the tests I know to rule out appendicitis and somehow because of frequent trying my abdomen seem to hurt more.
I went on with the trip and found some of my classmates making fun of my chief complaint. The whole day I tried to limit my food and fluid intake in fear of agitating my GI tract. I brought unsalted crackers and refrained from eating foods that are hard to digest just in case. I also tried to limit my movement and tried not to walk as fast as I normally do. Well, I did all these acts of desperation just to be sure that I'll go back to Manila with my appendix still intact.
I survived the wedding until the reception. I hardly felt the pain throughout the day but the idea of a ruptured viscus still lurked in my mind. I didn't even join the drinking spree my classmates had afterwards. This abdominal pain is such a kill joy. When I was about to sleep, the idea of acute pancreatitis which usually brings death to a person in his sleep entered my mind. "This couldn't be it", I though again. But my pain was periumbilical, so it is still possible. I tried watching TV in fear of falling asleep but eventually I succumbed to deep slumber. I was happy when I awakened. Happy to still be alive and with the appendix still intact. The pain is still here though and I'm going to the health service in a little while just to make sure.
By Jitney Girl @ 1:54 PM
|
Saturday, November 15, 2003
|
Palarong Med
Students from different med schools in Manila took a time out. The atmosphere was very relaxed. Everyone came as athletes and, as far as I can see, there wasn't a single soul who showed his/her nerdyness by opening a med book. Of course we know, med life is toxic, and maybe there were those who had nagging thoughts of I-have-to-finish-reading-this-and-that, but inspite of that, everyone looked like they were having fun. Old friends engaged in friendly competition, winning (and accepting loss), just plain playing and getting all dirty and sweaty. It was fun indeed.
By jadetv @ 7:42 PM
|
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
|
sorry for this guy
Here's a man who goes to another country, away from his family, to earn a living. What does he get in return? A pituitary adenoma! In that foreign country he got framed and was got some punishment he didn't deserve. As part of the punishment he also got hit so hard in the head which probably led to the adenoma. And now his life is ruined.
By jadetv @ 11:18 AM
|
Monday, November 10, 2003
|
SLE Conference
SLE stands for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It is a multisystem disease that affects females of childbearing age, with a 15:1 female to male ratio. The etiology or cause is unknown, but may involve genetics, drug exposure, and estrogens. The pathogenesis involves antinuclear antibodies or ANA's and other autoimmune disease processes.
On 8 Nov 2003 Sat, I was one of ten students from my class who attended the monthly meeting of the Lupus Foundation of the Philippines. It was the pre-Christmas meeting so instead of the usual medical lecture, Father Jance was asked to give an inspirational talk.
To meet patients and learn their disease process, their story beyond the books, is an enriching experience. I hope that in doing our echo or report to the rest of the subsections in class, those of us who were able to attend the meeting would be able to convey some of the up-close-&-personal ambiance of that meeting. Nothing profound, really. Just learning that even "chronic" patients can be giving, they don't have to be in the sick role all the time, that even "chronic" patients can look and be joyful. Because Jesus understands.
By mjc @ 3:00 PM
|
Saturday, November 01, 2003
|
UST MED - Final word on the Semestral Exams
Got this from a 2nd year friend...the percentage applies to sophomores and not us 3rd years...
Dear batchmates,
Summary
I am sorry to inform you that despite all our efforts, the dean has told us that the semestrals would go through as scheduled. He said that this was non-negotiable.
What was fruitful with our endeavor however was that we were told that our official transcript of records would reflect only module grades, and our module grades will be unaffected by the semestral exams. However, if for some reason, subject based grades are asked of us, the breakdown of grades will be as follows: semestral exams (30%), module grades (70%). if the subject matter has supplementals, then the
breakdown wil be supplemental classes (15%), semestral exams (15%), module grades (70%). These subject grades would then be attached to our official module based transcript (if necessary).
Our graduating and failing solely depends on our modules. This is the most important thing.
What are the possible situations where we might need subject based grades? Based on the current evidence we have in hand, it would not be for the PRC or for taking the board exams. UE, as I have shown last enrollment, submits module grades, and UE students have taken the boards and passed. According to dean Alora it might be possible that some institutions might ask for subject based grades, although in
her long experience, she has yet to encounter an institution not accepting module based grades.
This arrangement I mentioned above was termed as a`proposal' by Dean Lopez. Then we asked the Vice-rector of Academic affairs (Dr. de Jesus), who sort of mediated a meeting between the old and new administration, he told us that there was an `agreement in principle' regarding the matter of what grades will appear in our official transcript of records. Furthermore, Dean Alora told us that the registrar agreed to put in writing that since we started in a curriculum that gave module based
grades, we have to be consistent and finish with module based grades. I certainly hope that this would be final.
DETAILS
We started with a meeting with the vice-rector to whom we presented our side and some concerns. We tried first to question the validity of the exam by pointing out that last convocation, we were told that the exams would be instituted because of a PRC ruling that required subject based grades, and that since we have evidence showing that this is not true, there no longer is a valid reason for the exam.
However, our dean sometime between the convocation and now, seems to have changed his mind and now claims that he told us that the primary reason for the
exams is assessment. So, they practically made all our PRC arguments irrelevant.
We then argued this: if its an assessment of retention, then it should not be graded, thus making review unnecessary. The exams then would be formative and in fact may be of help. If it is a graded evaluation, then it would be unjust to give all 12 subjects and give us a mere 2 weeks of preparation.
At this they argued: if its not graded, we won't study. They claim that they announced this since September 15, implying of course that we should have studied (personally I am irritated at the way that they always seem to imply na tamad tayo) from this
time. This of course, in my opinion, reflects a deep seated and seemingly incorrectible
misunderstanding of our curriculum. In all honesty, who can review for those semestral exams during our modules, especially if you have supplementals alongside the regular modules? are we expected to throw away our modules for these technically `extra-curricular' semestral exams?
Anyway, the vice-rector asked us what we wanted. Since they didn't accept our validity issues(PRC,unfairness), we were forced to opt for re-scheduling. So we asked for some time to plan and consult for an alternative schedule. We were supposed to submit the alternative schedule with the vice-rector after an hour. In the meantime, Dr. Alora, Dr. Coronel, and Dr. Bauzon arrived to help us out. They went to talk to the vice rector after we left the office top plan for an alternative schedule. After a while, we saw Dean Lopez also enter the office of the vice rector. When the whole group went out the office, we were told of the arrangement I mentioned in the summary. We were also asked by Dean Lopez to meet with him.
And so we did. For a moment, I actually thought we were going to get somewhere, at the very least postponement and rescheduling. Unfortunately, from the onset, the dean told us that change of schedule is "non-negotiable". He only asked for our proposal after saying "non-negotiable".
Our Proposal: since by all means they insist on subject based grades and semestral exams, we proposed that these exams be cut up over the year. For example, we take ana, physio, embryo, histo this week. Then the other tests after xmas break, after summer etc. We then proposed that semestral exams would not be necessary anymore for the following modules if they give subject based quizzes/exams during the modules themselves.
The dean however said that our proposal was impossible, and seeing nothing much can happen, we left.
The dean also frequently brought up that only us 2nd years are complaining. He even claimed that the 3rd years `welcomed' these exams. JJ PUA however texted that this was not the case. He said that the silent majority of 3rd years do not like these semestrals, but they felt that it would be futile to complain.
Anyway classmates, I apologize again kung di na move yung exams. In my humble opinion, even if we can't fail or our transcript grades would be unaffected by these semestral tests, the very fact that in some situations these tests may be important means that we should be given a fair chance in preparing for the tests. They should have re-scheduled it. It still is an unjust exam. It will cease to be unjust only when
it totally makes no effect on our grades, even the subject based grades.
Anyway, I hope more people will help out. Please comment. Again we must be united and more vocal. Apparently, silence is viewed as acceptance and `welcoming.'
By Doc Broks @ 9:57 AM
|
|
|
Thank you for visiting! |
|
|
