learning

i absolutely love the easy rotations that are part of our residency.  of course, i love them primarily for the breath of fresh air (aka free time and sleep) they give, in the midst of an otherwise hectic work schedule.  but i also love the chance to learn something outside the hospital.  the truth is, i love inpatient medicine — my most likely job of choice in 2 years will be in a hospital rather than a clinic — but we get SO MUCH inpatient learning in residency that the occasional outpatient and ancillary experience is quite exciting.  especially because i am so well-rested [during these rotations] that i am able to listen and learn so much more!

last year, my easy months were first care (becoming an expert at ear infections and rashes!) and cardiology clinic (improving my skills at heart murmurs and EKGs!).  this month, i am on “development.”  in the past two weeks, i have spent time watching children receive therapy for speech delay, participating in intensive pre-school classes for kids with autism, and listening to lectures about adhd, dyslexia, and autism.  i feel like i have spent the last 15 months pretending to understand these things, whenever they were quickly mentioned at various times in the hospital, but now i finally have a grasp on them!  while observing can get boring, i am so thankful for this opportunity to learn.  in fact, it has piqued my interest so much that i have even started reading a development textbook with sincere excitement!  i’m on the road to really understanding how to assess my patients’ development in a thoughtful and meaningful way.  and i still have two weeks to learn even more!

happy friday!