At the midpoint evaluation, I presented one H&P based on a patient I’d seen early on during my rotation at North Shore University Hospital.  The H&P I selected to present was a patient I’d been responsible for in the MICU and had a slew of neurological issues that prompted discussion about Guillain-Barre Syndrome and associated symptoms, which we discussed as a group.  This patient had many associated comorbidities leading to a significant assessment and plan. In reviewing the review of system and physical exam, I was sure to highlight only the pertinent positive and negatives associated with the presentation and I walked through the plan for treating this patient in detail to highlight the different treatment needed in order to provide the highest level of care.  The feedback following my presentation was very positive with notes to ensure I keep providing the level of detail moving forward and also to come prepared to the final evaluation with the final two H&Ps, my journal article relating to one of my cases as well as the ten pharmacology cards.

At the final evaluation, I presented a new case (H&P), the journal article associated with my case as well as 10 drug cards.  I was quite prepared with my drug cards given the feedback following my first rotation but also because I made a point to understand why these drugs were being used throughout my rotation.  The feedback, again, was positive following my journal article presentation as well as my H&P, for which I discussed the relevant and pertinent positive and negatives associated with the review of systems and the physical exam.  Two of the cases I presented had patients that were intubated and/or sedated so I wasn’t able to complete a full review of systems but I did share ventilator settings and noted adjustments to care based on laboratory findings. The article I discussed at the final presentation evaluated the use of intermittent versus continuous PPIs to treat high risk GI bleeds.  It was interesting and applicable in a way that I’d not thought of previously. Additionally, the findings of the article helped to dictate and support the treatment approach the team took for the patient and it felt nice to contribute in that way. As I continue through my rotations, I will work to ensure I am prepared with my case presentations, find relevant journal articles that help to support treatments and am familiar and comfortable with my drug cards at each site evaluation.

This entry is licensed under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license.