Week 2: Expanding My Understanding of the Medical Field
Misha P -
This week, I continued shadowing Dr. Hughes and Dr. Rutstein in the foot and ankle clinic. I am getting more comfortable with the clinical setting and have begun to get the hang of the flow of patient care, physicians’ rounds, and patient communication nuances. I am getting more comfortable with this on-the-job training, and daily something new is brought to the table to learn.
One interesting aspect that I saw this week was the role of medical technicians in the surgical process. I had the opportunity to observe how they interact with surgeons before, during, and after procedures in order to guarantee that the orthopedic implants and specialty instrumentation that they provide are executed effectively. They meet with the surgeons prior to surgery to review case information so they understand what materials and instruments they need on hand and they are in coordination on how the surgery should progress. During the procedure itself, providing troubleshooting expertise for any problems that may arise and providing an oversight function to guarantee that all surgical instruments and implants perform as they should. Having them present streamlines the process and minimizes unexpected difficulties that can be encountered. After the procedure, they meet again with the surgeons to debrief, reviewing what went smoothly and how improvements can be made. This post-operative discourse is necessary for refining technique, optimizing patient outcomes, and creating a culture of continuous learning within the operating team. Witnessing this connection is helping me further reinforce my understanding of how integral each role is with interdisciplinary medical facilities. Medicine is not only about the physician’s skill but a collaborative effort that thrives in the seamless coordination of different professionals with a single goal.
Throughout the remainder of this internship, I intend to further learn about the benefits of this type of coordination within the field of medicine and how technology further advances in medicine. So,stay tuned for more as I delve deeper into the world of medicine!