Practice-based & Lifelong Learning – Patient Presentations

There have been many learning experiences throughout my time spent in the hospital on my clinical rotations to date.  Of particular note, I have found that the learning style necessary to continue my education, while managing the care of patients, has required adaptations from how I’ve learned medicine over the past 2 years and other subjects earlier than that.  I have been used to watching a lecture series or reading a textbook beginning at the first chapter.  Although that style has its merits, there are modifications that I have made which have allowed me to improve my ability to not only gather but also deliver information in the hospital setting.

 

One of my personal challenges this year has been dealing with the anxiety associated with presenting patients on rounds. I have never been one for public speaking and, though a smaller audience, I’ve found that the same anxiety arose when it came time to speak up and present my patients. Not for a lack of understanding of my patients, not for a lack of confidence in my ability to relay the appropriate information. Not for any tangible reason other than it has been an issue that I have brushed to the side my entire life. I didn’t have the option anymore. So, I did what any bright-eyed medical student would do – I tried to improve, slowly but surely, with the help of my peers, residents and attendings. Admittedly, it took the better part of my year to finally feel comfortable in my own skin while all eyes were on me. But I never gave up. I continued to try and improve. Early on, I tried to improve everything at once and I learned that that is not the best strategy. Then, I tried to improve one small piece at a time. I would ask attendings their preferred format so as to mitigate any likelihood of being caught off guard. I am now nearing the end of my medical school journey and I am amazed at how far I’ve come. I receive unsolicited compliments for my presentations and that is certainly not something that I expected. Most importantly, I am proud of myself after my presentations. They are not always perfect, but I present them with confidence because I know the effort and care I put into managing my patients. I know that I don’t have all the answers, but I also know that I want to learn from those who are more experienced than me.

 

Moving forward, I believe what will help me the most in my education is to continue asking for feedback and applying that feedback with incremental improvements each day. Senior residents and attendings have a wealth of knowledge and we are all invested in each other’s growth as physicians. I plan to begin any new service with an introduction and ask my attending how they would prefer for me to deliver my presentation to the team. I will ask what format they would prefer to deliver feedback, as I am eager to receive their input and improve during our time together. Beyond that, I also aim to do this with other members on the team as well. My attending’s feedback is highly appreciated, but the entire team can help me improve and I would voice my encouragement of all members to help me as I advance through my residency training.

 

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