MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Unprotected Text' source. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:55:37 +0100 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/454789289/makes-me-nauseous-homeopathy-and.html I’ve thought long and hard about how I should start this post, so as to avoid unnecessary prose and be succinct to the point: that is, I personally believe that homeopathy is by and large a pile of shit.Maybe that’s because I was brought up in an atheistic family and educated in the sciences, learning to draw rational conclusions from evidence-based logical reasoning, but I just don’t agree with it; its basic principles or its radical conclusions.To be more specific, I don’t necessarily agree that it should have a place in the medical curriculum.Holistic medicine is in fact a world away from homeopathy, although the two are often confused predominantly by homeopaths trying to validate their branch of “medicine”. Much of what is taught in medical school is in fact, holistic, and... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964602 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1964602 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/453998350/elephant-man.html Occasionally an opportunity comes along that you just cannot miss. It was a few weeks ago in the anatomy lab during a conversation with the professor drawing a small crowd, that they told me to e-mail them and arrange it. So a couple of weeks later a few of us met up with them in the college and we were given unique access to what can be described as a cultural phenomenon – the elephant man.The advantage of going to such an old medical school, being that they have thousands of specimens in their pathology collection and in our case a few rare artefacts, the most famous of course being the actual skeleton of the elephant man.I’d previously heard rumours about how Michael Jackson had tried to buy the skeleton off the school in the early 90’s but decided to clarify this with the profess... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964603 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1964603 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/449925056/histories.html Taking a patient history is something I’d previously considered would be introduced not long after day one of medical school. It may then come as a surprise to some that this, in fact is not really touched upon at all in the first year. The rational behind that being: presenting complaint equals differential diagnoses. Still confused? Allow me to explain.For much of the first years general practice placement we faffed around with the cutesy side of medicine, aimed at developing interpersonal skills and gaining confidence in a clinical setting. It worked, to an extent, and the largely artificial nature combined with haphazard firing of disjointed questions worked. What was lacking was a systematic approach to taking a history, instead of flitting between all aspects of a patient’s life ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1952808 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1952808 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/447749145/tonic.html Yeah, I’ve got meningitis, no wait pneumonia, or is it glandular fever…? Shit, what if it’s actually…A crappy cold? Yah, not been feeling to well this week, actually pretty rotten for a cold, turning ghost white at one point and coughing up an entire lung lobe…well, almost. For perhaps the most negligible upshot, I have finally worked out just what lymphadenopathy feels like.But to put into context, I’m not all that bothered at the moment as I’m still buzzing on a wave of global euphoria, Obamarama.And yet I now look at the states from an entirely new perspective. Not with the previous pompous vantage that I and many others had held, but with a somewhat contrite, and mostly envious outlook.Because this is the best we have to offer. It’s like going to a restaurant with only ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947976 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1947976 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/435159388/medical-simulator.html A few weeks back I had the opportunity to attend a special one-off session the medical school had arranged, focusing on the clinical treatment of shock.I now understand where the medical school’s money goes, and here I was thinking they couldn’t afford proper examination beds. The facility itself was first class, and an ostensibly realistic simulation of an A&E environment. Primarily for teaching foundation year doctors and SpRs, it was a far cry from the usual clinical skills sessions we’re given. We were shown the simulated manikin that we were to be taught with. It breathed, it had pulses, it had cannulas going into it, it talked (or at least the instructor behind the one-way mirror did). It completely shits on resus Annie.The first scenario – hypovolaemic shock. The dummy t... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1915420 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1915420 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/431085321/feelin-festive.html And it's only October, damn.More to come, I promise, just been a little busy at the moment - sorry!I'll leave you with my new favouite medical joke:Q. Who are the most decent people at the hospital?A. The ultra-sound people.Thanks, buzzcocks. (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1908048 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1908048 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/424683394/shanghai.html I’m an avid F1 fan, and with just two races left in the season and the point’s even closer than this time last year it’s too close to call. Hamilton has taken pole for Shanghai after a disastrous race last weekend in Fuji, where he’d previously dominated. Questions about whether he can keep a clear head and not succumb to the pressure, make anymore rash mistakes and sacrifice his 5-point lead over Massa hang over what is possibly the most important race of the year.Massa, tipped to win the final race at his home circuit, Interlagos means Hamilton must stay on form tomorrow and extend his lead. With the past years events and notably the stringent penalties imposed upon the drivers, often with the FIA perhaps unsurprisingly favouring Ferrari leaves no room for error.It’s been such ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1889212 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1889212 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/411331514/med-school-budget-cuts.html It’s not just the students who are being hit hard by the medic crunch, it would also seem the university is tightening its belt, as I found out yesterday in a clinical skills session.As we walked in there was something slightly odd about the room, or to be more precise about the examination beds. For one thing, they couldn’t be adjusted to 45-degrees as is standard protocol for routine medical examination; instead they adjusted to a maximum of around 30-degrees, although this incidentally made finding the jugular venous pulse far easier.The other slightly odd thing about the examination beds is that they had some suspicious stains on them, and a purpose-built hole towards the head-end.It later transpired that in an effort to cut expenditure, the medical school had purchased second hand... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852790 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1852790 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/408413863/medical-student-syndrome.html –noun Psychiatry.A form of acute hypochondriasis that affects most people in training to be a physician.I’ve written briefly in the past about this, with the aforementioned ‘exploding head syndrome’ I was concerned I may have been suffering from, needless to say I was wrong about that one.The second year is centred on disease, and as you can imagine this brings a new level of unsubstantiated, nosophobic concern for many of us.Just last night for example, after a generous dinner and few cans of lager I found myself concerned at the size of my waistline. More pronounced than usual, yes, but surely not because of a hedonistic gorge on spaghetti bolognaise and cheap beer. Feeling a bit achy, surely not bloated? I have been drinking a lot lately with fresher’s week and the return to u... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1845434 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1845434 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/407515984/ecg-year-2-in-normal-sinus-rhythm.html 'Community based medical education', 'extended patient contact', yet more nouveau-bullshit terms for “you’ll be seeing a few more patients this year to fill your frankly vacant timetable with something that we haven’t quite decided on what will be”. A two-hour session on professionalism, questionnaire filling, personal development and Q&A in which not very much was achieved, clarified or explained. Truth be told, we are the guinea pig year and they don’t really know what to do with this new patient contact component other than ship us off to the GPs.The medical school is however, teaching us some real medicine in the form of 12-lead ECGs. Strangely, I’ve found that my previous electronics background has actually come in useful in understanding the actual workings of an ECG.... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1841578 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1841578 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/402027588/lub-dub.html And it begins, back in the familiar surroundings of the lecture theatre with a second year introduction discussing the most imperative issues – how many people failed the first year, why they failed, why we shouldn’t fail, what happens if we do fail. Of course, this talk was directed to a room full of students who passed the first year, or at least passed it following retakes. Needless to say, I did notice that the theatre wasn’t exactly at full capacity, unlike when we first started a year ago…Afternoon PBL, a bloody nightmare. Revision scenario from the first year with my folders long banished to the corners of the attic. Some things you can guarantee won’t change, such as last year’s tutor’s attitude and general disdain towards us. This was nicely illustrated when the elec... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1826780 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1826780 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/396484257/new-pbl_18.html Somehow, despite the pure negligence I have shown my blog it has managed to sustain its readership throughout the summer months. Apologies to all those who’ve made the effort to comment on my posts, I have attempted to keep up with Google reader, but have had little time or opportunity to reply…Until now that is, as after three long months my flatmates and I have finally got internet!In addition, I’ve been able to access the new PBL group roster for this term. It sounds a little more bearable as this term some of my closest friends are in my group, and ironically one of the tutors from last year…Normal service resuming in 5…4…3… (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806796 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1806796 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/393145788/freshers-part-ii.html The months of menial and fairly demoralising work are over. Perhaps the only thing that actually got me through was the knowledge that I was not stuck in that job indefinitely. The excitement of pay day quickly dissipated with the realisation that all of my earnings have gone on rent, bills and food. From the long list of things I've wanted to buy at the start of summer, not one single item has been purchased. My treat, as it were is teetering on the brink of my overdraft and not having to get a job for another year.But I can't complain, because I get to do what I love for another year. Freshers week has taken off and I am thoroughly enjoying the uplifting vibe and promise of an exciting second year. The medics are moving back from halls into houses, the new cohort taking our old place. We... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1795069 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1795069 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/382561288/socially-retarded-and-anally-rententive.html I send out literally hundreds of appointment letters, every day. It's another tedious task but it is easy to switch off for a few minutes whilst you sort them out. In order to make sure we receive the letter if there is a 'return to sender' problem for whatever reason we write a simple three digit number on the front of the envelope identifying the sender as our department. Yesterday I learnt, that even this can be an issue for some."Good morning, appointments""Ah yes, good morning I'm calling about a letter I recently received""Okay, how can I help?""Well on the front of an envelope there was a three digit number""Yes..?""Well, it was '003', and I was concerned as to what this was all about ""Okay, well that is a number we put on all letters to identify the department that sent it in orde... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764592 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1764592 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/378260555/why-i-hate-working-in-call-centre.html Because of people that...cough repeatedly into the receivershriek at their partners in the middle of a conversationshriek at their kids mid-conversationhold their bawling babies up to the receiveranswer another phone mid-conversationjust don't listen to what you repeatedly tell themdo all the above in the space of one callYeah, getting pretty bored of the summer job. Only two weeks left! (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1747384 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1747384 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/356514052/private-practice-fat-cats-and-claptraps.html For the past couple of weeks I have found myself temping in various medical institutions spread across the capital, in both the public and private sectors. The vast majority of the day is spent doing mind-numbingly, soul-destroying admin, with all the enthusiasm I can muster and the efficiency of a jammed paper shredder.I’ve learnt some tricks, after of course the blundering mistakes. Dial ‘9’ for an outside line, don’t try to repeatedly fax documents to a landline telephone number and my all time favourite, that there is no need to individually lick all the self-seal envelopes – discovered only after licking the first few thousand, of course.The first day covering a medical secretary in a private clinic was probably the most unhinged I’ve felt in a long time. This was partly d... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1683827 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1683827 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/345534862/revalidation.html I’ve made a stupid mistake, and it’s not the first time this has happened. Yes folks, today I was foolish enough to venture into the BBC’s ‘Have Your Say’ pages, the topic being “Should doctors receive annual appraisals?” (which, obviously, they already do - it would seem the BBC don't even understand the issue of revalidation)By god there are some stupid people in this country.So, before I start this rant, I feel I should state my stance on this issue – the issue of revalidation. I think in no uncertain terms, that it is a complete and utter waste of time and money, the principle of maintaining the highest standards itself is perfectly fine. The method itself, just doesn’t work in practice and I fail to see it making a blind bit of difference.But this was never about rev... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652934 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1652934 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/335960530/grand-rounds-443.html EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT! That’s right folks, this week I shall be dishing as much dirt on the latest rumours, gossip and scandal that the blogosphere can handle, and all from a rather slanderous angle!DEATH ON DIALYSIS: IT TAKES THE PISS – ABOUTANURSE grapples with the concept of self-doubt surrounding sudden and unexpected death on the wards, in this touching, heartfelt recollection.THE REAL DEAL – THE DAILY RHINO crosses a personal threshold as he finally feels like a doctor.“During my last weekend on-call, our unit had five deaths within about sixteen hours. None were unexpected, but all were quietly heartbreaking. Two stood out and taught me skills I know I'll find useful throughout my career”DECIEVED, IGNORED AND LIED TO – THE LITTLE MEDIC tells of his story and ba... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1623231 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1623231 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/330860184/hosting-grand-rounds-vol-4-no-43.html Big news, huge news! Next week's Grand Rounds will be held here on Tuesday 15th July!So please send in all submissions to unprotectedtext@hotmail.co.uk by 9pm (GMT) Sunday 13th July. (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1606809 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1606809 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/328892956/vacant.html Three weeks into summer and I am as yet to find myself a job. The agency hasn’t got anything at the moment, the university advertised some paid work, and they are as yet to get back to me. In addition to just moving into a new flat, with all the usual initial expenses it would seem my dad has cut me off without reason or prior warning, just days before rent day. Wanker.Oddly, and out of the blue I received a reply to an e-mail I sent way back in February for a research placement, something in cardiac physiology. Turns out they had trouble getting some experimental parts in, and there’s a lot of preparatory work involved. I have no idea if there’s any funding available, but am fairly doubtful. In addition I’m under the impression that the commute would take far too long from my flat... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594233 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1594233 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/325067369/dose-of-first-year-medicine.html It’s over one year on since I first started this blog, back in the days of wonderment, excitement and feverish anticipation. A whole year of lectures, practicals, workshops, placements, tutorials, patients and exams – and a year that has come with sweet highs and bitter lows. Medicine it would seem is the abyss, and one year on I am still right at the top, staring down.The Good“I've never seen so many men wasted so badly”AnatomyThe best subject in the first year, by a long shot. Anatomy turned out to be far more in depth, and artistic than I’d previously thought. A subject so literally self-indulgent, an apprenticeship in medicine, as it isn’t readily understood through textbooks and lectures.PeopleThere are a lot of different people, from very different backgrounds that you fo... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1564712 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1564712 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/321254860/year-one-done.html Results day, for the seventh consecutive year, same anticipation, same ambiguity. The always uncomfortable social etiquette that accompanies results day – Should you ask? Should you tell? Blanket congratulations, well done to all even if you failed. There’s a saying that goes, “What do you call the guy who graduates bottom of his class in medical school?” “Doctor”, of course. It is essentially, pass-fail, no longer 2:2, 2:1 or first class as with normal degrees. Often it seems the only incentive is to gain the minimal grades (in our year four C’s) to make it to the next year. With the ever-increasing number of people in my year reading this blog, I’ve decided to post my results one last time, for in years to come I’d prefer to avoid unnecessary angst or judgement by p... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1552397 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1552397 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/318031037/osces-episode-i-phantom-menace.html After the final end of year exam I have reached one single conclusion; that OSCEs are perhaps the most intense two hours of the first year. Normally I manage to compose myself and suppress any inevitable anxieties that arise with exams, but being thrown into an OSCE situation for the first time really is a testament of character.For one, you don’t know what to expect, unless you are like half of the year (myself included), who sat it on the second day, after the first cohort had told us what to expect – which is another moot point. It’s remarkable just how helpful and selfless that those who you are technically in direct competition with, will be to help you out for the exam.Sifting through homogenous histology pictures, trying to complete answer forms in the five minute allocated sl... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1538742 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1538742 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/316166979/osce.html In about 1hrs time I'll be sitting my first OSCE.Not sure what to expect, who knows it may be even vaguely enjoyable?Apologies for not posting recently, been far too busy with end of year revision and moving out, with that comes a lack of internet at the new flat.Still, it'll be nice to finish the first year. Expect updates fairly soon, thanks for tuning in. (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1532333 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1532333 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/304730962/gone-phishin.html This post is totally reactionary, but hell is it ever justified.I would just like to say to whatever cunt bucket that decided to go phishing in my pond, that you, you little fucktard are a wankstain on the sheets of society.Spending my money on a Rapidshare account so you can download your pathetic pornography at a higher bandwidth.That’s nearly a whole months food shopping you’ve stolen from me.The phone call to the bank cost me another £5 just to cancel my fucking debit card.I have no access to any cash for at least the next 5 working days.It’s almost a week till my exams and I am far too pissed off to do any productive revision.That is the true extent to your crime, you worthless little bitchprick. (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1494854 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1494854 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/298567626/because-im-lazy-shit.html A 75 year old man was admitted to hospital with SOB, severe fatigue, muscle weakness and swollen ankles. At night he says he requires four pillows and often wakes due to shortness of breath. His history revealed that for several years he has experienced episodes of chest pain and shortness of breath on exertion. On examination he was noted to have slight cyanosis, distension of neck veins, tachypnoea (20/min), tachycardia (110BPM), ankle oedema and rales at the lung bases bilaterally. His BP was 115/80. The chest x-ray examination showed an enlarged heart and diffuse density at both lung bases. An ECG showed normal sinus rhythm. Treatment included bed rest and administration of digitoxin and a diuretic.******************Once again, if anyone can help explain this scenario it would be of gr... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1470426 Mon, 26 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1470426 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/294554100/retrosexual.html Human development wasn’t as interesting as I’d hoped. Perhaps that is just the typical male medical student attitude, maybe things are different on the wards. I for one will be glad to see the back of anything remotely menstrual. That’s not to say it was all that bad, I learnt a few things, things I perhaps would rather not know in hindsight (– YouTube ‘episiotomy’ at your own risk).Quote of the week: “Using the femidom was like making love to a packet of crisps” From one of the last lectures of the year – contraception. Slightly odd, knowing what sex with a crisp packet is like. Stranger still is that these things are not effective in preventing the spread of STDs despite the masses of latex they’re made from, but perhaps that’s not a real problem as no one seems to ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1459156 Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1459156 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/292954722/calling-all-haematologists.html Mr Ali, a 59yr old Bengali man, presented to his GP with a 1 week history of cough productive of green sputum. He had a pain in the right side of his chest whenever he coughed. He had been feeling unwell for some time, with aches and pains all over. The GP sent off the sputum for culture, and in the meantime prescribed amoxicillin 250mg three times a day for 5 days.A week later he returned, feeling worse. He still had the cough productive of green sputum, now sometimes flecked with blood. He still had the pain in his chest, and his left thigh was becoming more painful making walking hard. The report from the laboratory was back, showing prolific growth of Haemophilus influenzae, resistant to amoxicillin and to cephalosporins, but sensitive to azithromycin and ciprofloxacin. Mr Ali confesse... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1452163 Sun, 18 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1452163 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/291103669/gone-drummin.html In 2 hours I shall be drumming away at the union for RAG band night. We've only had a day and a half to put together our bit.Wish me luck!! (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446857 Thu, 15 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1446857 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/289022372/because-histology-sucks.html LAMECan you guess what it actually is? (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1437342 Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1437342 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/288281820/fyi.html Things learnt this past week:1. The GPs reception area probably isn’t the ideal place to conduct an interview with a patient.2. Need to push on pregnant lady’s belly a little harder if you want to feel that uterus.3. If you are planning to get pregnant, don’t get a massive dolphin tattooed on your tummy, because it will get skewed.4. Not all parents find their child’s immunisation that funny. (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1434696 Sun, 11 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1434696 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/285604108/yep-im-mature.html Microanatomy session this morning, checking out the slides.Following on from a long spiel on various tissue samples, the tutor declares:"I know there's a lot to take in, but I hope by now you've managed to get a feel for the prostate"And I was the only one who seemed to find that funny... (Source: Unprotected Text) Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1427221 Wed, 07 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1427221 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/284915626/big-mouth-strikes-again.html The final module is upon us, as is the countdown to end of year exams and summer. For the next three weeks we shall be slogging our way through the ins and outs of the pelvis, the highs and lows of the sex hormones and finishing with the triumphant climax of birth – all to come in human development.But, back to last week…The dreaded brain and behaviour and locomotor exam. Yes, it was hard, somewhat sly and at times seemingly unfair (name four bursae of the knee joint and precisely where they are located – WHY?!).Yet, it was nothing compared to the moment of blinding stupidity I had today:“It must be pretty bad for those people who’ve failed the other exams so far, because they’ll be facing getting kicked out if they fail this one too, I wouldn’t want to be one of them right n... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1424100 Tue, 06 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1424100 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/279631028/diffrent-strokes.html Lock-down mode once again at the halls for this Friday brings the dreaded, hastily anticipated, and supposedly most difficult of all first year exams – the brain and behaviour (and locomotor) exam.Cranial nerves, spinal tracts, brain anatomy and infinite fact have been crammed into our cortexes over the past eight weeks. I for one am running out of gray matter, which isn’t so much of a problem as I’m also running out of time. B+B isn’t easy, but the general consensus seems to be it was actually a really enjoyable module.As for highlights, well, part way through the course I found out exactly ‘What Willis was talk’n about.’Yes, that’s right he was talking about ‘the Circle of Willis’, or rather the blood supply to the brain.Ironically, the Circle of Willis can also be us... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1404392 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1404392 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/274141879/suture-self.html Hospitals are a foreign place, especially for us first year medical students. On the rare occasion the university will let us set foot on a ward to have a supervised interview with a patient, one that tends to be on the road to recovery with full mental faculties. In short, we all seem to have a naïve, romanticised idea of what goes on in these places.The other week a friend and I ventured into the basement of the Royal London for a guest lecture. It would seem that the silent corridors and rooms of the hospital basement are for three things; the MRI, the morgue, and the medical students. Sat in the dingy and dated lecture theatre, most likely surrounded by radioactive dyes in storage through one wall and cold dead bodies through another, we ponder as to what dramas are playing up on the ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1386137 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1386137 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/273013488/nuclear-warheads.html There are some weird and wonderful disorders in neurology. From the man who could only say ‘tan’, to patients who cannot differentiate between background and objects, and, famously to Phineus Gauge, the first accidental frontal lobotomy. All of which suffer from unusual, bizarre consequences.And then there is my uncle, who has been diagnosed with ‘Exploding Head Syndrome’. Now, at first when my mother told me about this I was sceptical, but to my astonishment it was actually listed in my Oxford Medical Dictionary. As he describes it, he hears an enormous crash that wakes him up in a sudden jolt sending his pulse racing.Last night I swear I heard a massive bang, but couldn’t really tell where it came from. The next morning no-one else seemed to have been woken by any noise.Here’... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1382847 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1382847 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/269694475/stroke-folk.html I spent some time last week at the hospital, on the stroke rehabilitation ward. Upon arrival we were greeted by various members of the team, later we would be introduced to a man who’d recently suffered a cerebellar stroke. This is where the medicine learnt in a lecture theatre translates into something completely different. No longer is it as clear cut as ‘a cerebrovascular occlusion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery resulting in localised ischemia.’ It is instead, a man who has difficulties walking, standing, co-ordinating his hand. I watch for a moment as he tries to place a red counter into a connect-four grid.The occupational health therapist tells me how he presented, and how his rehabilitation has gone so far. I observe the man, as he cunningly dupes a nurse into los... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1369825 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1369825 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/267211047/clinical-s-kills.html There’s nothing like a long clinical skills session to demonstrate how much you’ve forgotten when it comes to cardiovascular, respiratory and abdominal exams. Fundamental, keystones of good clinical practice these theatrical displays of competence are right now, at best shabby. I can’t for the life of me remember the order, and signs we’re instructed to look out for. Come the summer OSCEs we will be given perfectly healthy patients with none of these pathological features, yet we will need to say what we’re checking for and remark on their absence.A respiratory exam should start something like this:“Hello, I’m Harry and I’m a first year medical student. Would it be alright if I can quickly look at your chest and listen to your breathing?” Said as I wash my hands and stand... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1361517 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1361517 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/263626073/blind-mans-bluff.html ‘Blind people don’t see blackness’A provocative afternoon at the hospital as we’re given an awareness workshop by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Later on we’re to discover that a person born totally blind sees with their other senses. For those who lost their sight in later life, they may see different patterns or the same one permanently. When they dream, they can see – all in the eye of the mind.It’s a philosophical question, and something that is not fully comprehensible to someone who is able to read this blog. Of course, they are not ‘seeing’ in the sense you and I can as there is no visual input into the visual cortex. Occasionally when some people lose sight, they experience hallucinations – a condition known as Charles Bonnet syndrome. We’re told ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1350153 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1350153 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/260775500/apologies-for-late-running-of-this.html Once again I find myself neglecting this little patch of cyberspace in favour of less pressing matters and general idleness. March has been a fairly dry month, with little of interest to report. Saying that, I have spent the past two weeks arsing about as it was the Easter holidays.A brief visit home and a slightly overbearing mother pushing me to spend more quality time with my brother is more than enough ‘family time’. It ain’t gonna get fixed that easily. I still haven’t managed to find any form of housing for next year, or job for the summer. Instead I received two rejections for some summer research applications as I’m still a first year medical student, despite the fact I have a fucking degree in Biomedical Sciences. Looks like a few dreaded months of agency work is on the ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1337125 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1337125 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/255014626/cranial-nerves.html Easter has taken a rather rostral turn from the spine to the twelve cranial nerves. It would seem this is a part of medicine where a mnemonic will come in useful. So far I’ve heard two good ones.(Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal)Only One Object Transcends Time And Foams Vivaciously: Glorious Vagina! All Hail!Ohh, Ohh, Oh, To Touch And Feel Virgin Girls' Vaginas And HymensIt always seems much easier to remember with the added charm of smut. Well, I suppose it beats the more conservative mnemonic:On Old Olympus Towering Tops A Finn And German Vending At HopsDoes anyone even understand what this means??!Once I’ve finally managed to remember the names and spellings of the nerves let alo... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316953 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1316953 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/250996943/day-to-remember.html We met in a church hall, after the briefest of introductions I sat in the spare chair next to her. She seemed delighted, as the other lady’s gently teased “Oh look after that one, you’ve got a looker there, Emily!” She would then reply, “None of your business!” laughing and flirting harmlessly as older ladies do and I would sit smiling bashfully, as young men do.Emily has Alzheimer’s, quite how advanced I am still unsure. I was handed a children’s puzzle to go through with her. At first I felt awkward, trying to treat her like an adult whilst piecing together a cartoon farm. To make it worse, she was unimpressed and reluctant to take part. “Shut up, not interested” she would keep telling me. At this point the carer would explain that she is a particularly hard client to... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1302016 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1302016 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/248322930/little-out-of-hand.html I’m loving the new PBL, especially the way it’s tailored to make it relevant to us.“Bartek is a 23 year old Polish labourer working on the Olympic site at Stratford. He is involved in an accident with a band saw which results in his right hand being completely severed 4cm proximal to the wrist.”Dare I say it; this one is actually quite interesting to read up on. Lots of journal articles with gory pictures:The new PBL tutor isn’t bad either, a seemingly nice lady and generous with the group mark - unlike our last tutor, though even they made sure we did the work. The past week has consisted of locomotor lectures, and for the most part dissection of the upper limb has proved extremely useful.Trying to remember the different nerve roots and palsies is giving me grief. What with the ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289349 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1289349 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/244392679/goin-loco.html Tomorrow marks the start of two new modules, one of which is supposedly the hardest element of the first year. Welcome to ‘brain and behaviour’ and ‘locomotion’. I’ve heard dreadful, awful things about B+B, alas, I am actually looking forwards to it. In biomed, neuroscience was one of my favourite topics we covered. As for locomotor, the dissection SSM I’ve just done should prove extremely useful. Of course, returning to the usual daily grind makes for an unwelcome return of PBL.I went to one of the best union nights so far last Friday – live bands night. Both cheap and relaxed, I really enjoyed watching students putting on a good show, the appreciation and unity of the crowd was electric. I’m definitely going to guitar soc this week, I’ve been meaning to for a long while... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1271919 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1271919 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/242415305/feet.html The lower limb is a little easier to dissect. For one, the face is out of view allowing for us to slip into a less personal sense of thought and just get on with the task in hand… or foot. Secondly, the muscles in the leg are much larger and easier to separate than those in the arm. Finally, there is no need for twisting the limbs into place, as they have been fixed in the anatomical position. Needless to say, the lower limb has proved a little easier to deal with.We started with the posterior - the gluts and hamstring muscles. Once again, we found ourselves with the rather unpleasant task of cutting out chunks of fatty tissue, but eventually the anatomy became clear. Following on from this came the femoral triangle. It’s odd poking around near the cadavers genitals, but as is the natu... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1263640 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1263640 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/240432502/bad-to-bone.html As the week drew on, the nature of dissection changed. In the beginning, after the initial shock was overcome the cutting process became fairly routine. By Thursday, things started to get a little messier. In order to fully dissect the joints, we ended up doing what can be described as effectively skinning the arms. Needless to say, the week ended on a fairly drained note, most of us glad for the weekend.I think the best part for me was dissecting the palm. The method itself was quite challenging, the skin and facia stuck on tight. It required a lot of patience and hands on precision to make a half decent job of it all. Eventually we penetrated the carpal tunnel, something that I’d put as a highlight of the week. The instructor explained to us how the anatomy related to carpal tunnel syn... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1252914 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1252914 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/237844884/dissection.html Just a quick request to start with, that is if you are planning on donating your body to medical science then it would help a great deal if you could end your days laying in the anatomical position, arms supine.One of the hardest things about dissection is trying to move a body into the necessary accessible positions. A fair deal of force is required that, for a first year medical student with limited exposure to death can prove exceptionally tough to overcome. It is undignified, especially when it comes to rolling the entire cadaver over onto its front to dissect the back, it is also messy at times, but still we persist.The general atmosphere is quite jovial. There is no need for it to be solemn and there are the usual light hearted jokes and comments needed to overcome the mental obstacl... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1243624 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1243624 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/236624496/feel-lucky-punk.html Friday’s exams proved on the whole to be much more challenging than the FunMed cohort, as you can see:FUNMEDWhat type of image is this? A. CTB. X-rayC. MRID. Contrast media X-rayE. Ultrasound(Website was left on the image)CARDIORESPIRATORYName A.A. Anterior papillary muscle of the right ventricleB. Septal papillary muscle of the right ventricleC. Posterior papillary muscle of the right ventricleD. Anterior papillary muscle of the left ventricleE. Posterior papillary muscle of the left ventricleAs you can imagine, this has a significant impact on results. In fact they went from this:FunMed Class Average: 60%To this:Cardiorespiratory and Metabolism Class Average: 49%Over half the class (~150 people) failed.Thankfully I did not, though I didn’t score as high as before which is a bit of a ... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1237812 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1237812 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/233849222/introducing-medical-student.html As it has once again reached that time of year when an exam is looming, I felt it appropriate to compile a list of exam personalities that I have witnessed over the past few years. Please note, they are not a reflection of the students at my school (although some will invariably fit the description).The GunnerA classic personality. These high calibre front row revision jockeys are at the forefront of every year. They are walking textbooks that seem to run off self-satisfaction. To the Gunner, a pass is a fail unless they are right at the top of the year. They are ridiculed by the pack but always come off best.The SpongeSponges have a seemingly unnatural ability to turn up to lectures and remember volumes of information without effort. Revision time is brisk for a sponge as they are already... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1225983 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1225983 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnprotectedText/~3/232860684/withdrawal.html One of the best things about medicine is getting away from it all. Particularly the fascination and regard your non-medical friends have towards you. Friday night I ventured off to Carnaby Street in the heart of central London for drinks with some old friends. Every time I see them I get asked that same endearing question “how was school today?”And so would follow a short spiel of whatever amusing story I can think of that they’d appreciate. Many of them are still finding their feet and subsiding on the same disposable income they had when they were students. Though, with time modest salaries will increase, promotions will come and lives will move on. I am aware of this, a feeling which fills me slightly of dread. I will still be in school, living off my pocket money, revising for ex... Unprotected Text blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1221431 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1221431