NHS Work Experience - Day 1
After several weeks wait I was finally able to go down to my local hospital in the North East to begin my official NHS work experience. Despite it only being my first day i was quickly introduced to the many other students taking part this week before being rushed into lectures that spanned the whole day and began my week with an interesting array of topics into the NHS, especially its aims and how it manages to take care of the millions of patients that use its facilities each year. The lectures ranged from the view of doctors and the structure of the trust within the NHS to the views of a current patient. However three topics that interested me and drew my attention the most were;
Firstly the SIM program which is a medical stimulation device, helping staff and junior doctors to freshen and practice their skills by practicing on stimulation dummies. Currently several of these "Sim men" are used in my local trust and range from young new born baby to adult. The stimulation models can be controlled using a computer and can even "breathe" and have an actual pulse to help young doctors face and get used to dealing with difficult and complex situations that can arise on the ward. This practice helps to promote education in a safe manner without harm to any patients, all the while allowing young doctors to practice and refine their techniques in different medical situations ranging from collapsed lungs and vomiting to a cardiac arrest.
Secondly, another interesting talk today was from a nurse who came by to show and explain the various features of a surgical theatre. Highlighting the importance of sterilization and prevention of disease (for the benefit of the patient) she demonstrated the attire of the surgeon and nurses (through pictures) along with the creation of a sterile field around the patient that helps reduce chances of disease. Furthermore she explained the use of stop clocks, to time how long the surgery had gone on for, and the use of a grid system to count and keep track of any gauze's and equipment used during the surgery so as to ensure everything is removed from the body.
And finally one the more interesting talks of the day was on endoscopy, whereby another nurse came by to describe the procedure undertaken by the doctor and how the scopes can be cleaned and used. Furthermore, she went through the different functions of a scope which, can take samples and use ultrasound to provide a better picture. The various procedures that use endoscopy include; colonoscopy (along the colon), bronchoscopy (along the bronchi), EUS (endoscopic ultrasound), EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound), OGD (along the gastrointestinal tract) and ERCP (use of endoscopy along with X-rays commonly used for problems dealing with the bile duct).
Overall the first day at the NHS trust was very well planned and provided an accurate picture and insight into the various practices ongoing in the hospital while providing insights and comments from doctors and nurses, but most importantly from patients, with one coming in at the end to provide an insight into their experience with the NHS (which has been extensive due to liver problems ultimately leading to a liver transplant), thus providing an effective end to the day by showing us (students interested in going into medicine) why we want to pursue this field and what a difference it makes to the people who rely on us to help them get healthy again.
Firstly the SIM program which is a medical stimulation device, helping staff and junior doctors to freshen and practice their skills by practicing on stimulation dummies. Currently several of these "Sim men" are used in my local trust and range from young new born baby to adult. The stimulation models can be controlled using a computer and can even "breathe" and have an actual pulse to help young doctors face and get used to dealing with difficult and complex situations that can arise on the ward. This practice helps to promote education in a safe manner without harm to any patients, all the while allowing young doctors to practice and refine their techniques in different medical situations ranging from collapsed lungs and vomiting to a cardiac arrest.
Secondly, another interesting talk today was from a nurse who came by to show and explain the various features of a surgical theatre. Highlighting the importance of sterilization and prevention of disease (for the benefit of the patient) she demonstrated the attire of the surgeon and nurses (through pictures) along with the creation of a sterile field around the patient that helps reduce chances of disease. Furthermore she explained the use of stop clocks, to time how long the surgery had gone on for, and the use of a grid system to count and keep track of any gauze's and equipment used during the surgery so as to ensure everything is removed from the body.
And finally one the more interesting talks of the day was on endoscopy, whereby another nurse came by to describe the procedure undertaken by the doctor and how the scopes can be cleaned and used. Furthermore, she went through the different functions of a scope which, can take samples and use ultrasound to provide a better picture. The various procedures that use endoscopy include; colonoscopy (along the colon), bronchoscopy (along the bronchi), EUS (endoscopic ultrasound), EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound), OGD (along the gastrointestinal tract) and ERCP (use of endoscopy along with X-rays commonly used for problems dealing with the bile duct).
Overall the first day at the NHS trust was very well planned and provided an accurate picture and insight into the various practices ongoing in the hospital while providing insights and comments from doctors and nurses, but most importantly from patients, with one coming in at the end to provide an insight into their experience with the NHS (which has been extensive due to liver problems ultimately leading to a liver transplant), thus providing an effective end to the day by showing us (students interested in going into medicine) why we want to pursue this field and what a difference it makes to the people who rely on us to help them get healthy again.
Comments
Post a Comment