Clinical Experience: The Heart of Medical School

Ok. So I have some news to report. But before I do, I should probably bring everybody up to speed on my current class schedule. For the first two years of medical school, my course schedule is pretty much predetermined. I do have the option of throwing in an elective now and again, but for the most part I will just be taking the core (basic science) courses.

You all know that I'm currently taking anatomy; I've made this very clear in my previous posts. Well, to be more specific, I'm class I'm in right now is called GIE, or Gross Anatomy, Imaging and Embryology. This is a daily course that lasts for the first 11 weeks. It focuses primarily on anatomy, but also includes includes lectures on the other topics mentioned in the title as well. It consists of both a lecture component, as well as lab (you know, that smelly place I mentioned previously). After GIE comes Cell Structure and Function (9 weeks), then Systems Processes and Homeostasis (9 weeks), and finally Biological Basis of Disease (9 weeks). And that's my core schedule for the year. Pretty simple, eh?

In addition to my basic science courses, I also have a class called PCM, or Principles of Clinical Medicine. PCM is a weekly course that lasts for the first two years of medical school. The purpose is to give us an early introduction to the true clinical aspect of medicine--a sort of practical application of the things we are learning in our science courses--as well as to teach us about ethics, finance, health organization, biostatistics, etc. There are two parts to this course: the didactic portion (a 4 hour weekly lecture) and the preceptorship. In addition to large and small group discussions surrounding the topics I listed above, the didactic portion of the course also serves to prepare us to see patients, teaching how to take histories, perform physical exams, take vitals, etc. The preceptorship, on the other hand, is what I really came here to tell you about.

A preceptorship is sort of like a shadowing experience on steroids. I've shadowed doctors in the past, and it essentially consists of a lot of watching. Preceptorships are all about doing. Whereas the PCM lectures teach us the practical knowledge, the preceptorship provides hands on experience. Though the experience will vary from student to student, I will likely have the opportunity to see patients (either with the doctor or prior to the doctor seeing them) and do all the doctor-y stuff I mentioned above (histories, vitals, exams, etc.) So basically, it's going to be an incredible experience. In fact, I've been told that the reason many students ultimately choose OHSU is for the early clinical experience they offer. I'm a little scared to dive in head first so soon, but it will certainly be well worth it.

Ok. Just a few more explanations, then I promise I'll tell you the news. Like I said, the preceptorship occurs weekly and lasts for the first two years. One year is the "primary care year" (either family practice or internal medicine), and the other year is the "specialty year". For primary care, you spend the whole year with the same doc. For specialty, you rotate between 3 difference specialists, one each term.

And finally, we have come to the purpose of this overly wordy, sleep inducing post: my announcement. My fate. My preceptorship. This year will be my specialty year. For the first term (starting next Thursday), I will be working with a pediatric cardiologist. Cardiology was one of the specialties I listed as an interest. Pediatrics was not, but I think it will add a very interesting perspective. Furthermore, I also discovered that the doctor specializes in transplants, which could potentially be really exciting. So, my friends--my most faithful of readers, those who have endured this lengthy post to the bitter end--please continue to feverishly check my blog for updates, for I will definitely be reporting all preceptorship-related developments as they arise. And arise they shall.

Now, before I click that long overdue Publish Post button at the bottom of my screen, here is my current class schedule, for anyone interested in seeing the thrilling occurrences of my day-to-day life in a neat, chart format. Enjoy!

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:00am	GIE Lecture	GIE Lecture	GIE Lecture	GIE Lecture	GIE Lecture
9:00am
10:00am	GIE Lab	GIE Lab	GIE Lab	GIE Lab	GIE Lab
11:00am
12:00pm
1:00pm			PCM Lecture	Preceptorship
2:00pm
3:00pm
4:00pm