Fourth year is worth the wait! By Simon Smith (IV) opinion Fourth year is worth the wait. I remember Alan Wright stating the answer to the question of how much we need to remember of all this and he replied ‘All of it!!’ Well those words are ringing in my ears like a whining spouse! I am currently on my ED rotation now and it’s like all your PBLs in one day, for four weeks. I constantly think back to that Brown dude in PBL as my patients BP heads south, Bob the banana guy whenever I see pneumonia and the Timorese old lady with TB when I see haemoptysis! I am amazed at how much we have learned, my ability to spew it out when pushed and just how much we don’t know. It feels like a real sense of achievement to ‘work’ in ED, take histories and formulate a plan. So cool just bouncing ideas off consultants who all seem to find the time to listen to your blab, and wrap up your thoughts in three words. So academic listening to registrars who are in the throws of study themselves, and looking ahead to the level they are at. And lastly bumbling along with the new interns who you both envy and pity, knowing you will be in the hot seat yourself oh so soon. It’s so much of a shock when you boldly state your patient requires analgesia, antibiotics and fluid and the registrar agrees, looking over their shoulder as they rush off reminding you to get all the forms signed off once your done. Your left staring into space, feeling your world cave in as you realise you don’t even know how to chart paracetamol. And charting fluids, my god you hit the floor! Actually most of us in third year bugged the interns to no end to let us do all their paperwork and were reasonably prepared for this year. I really think that is essential. Get it sorted in year three and then put it into practice in year four. In essence it’s really important to hang around the wards and do as much as you can. Plaster, suture, cannulate, venepuncture catheterise, PR/PV, swabs, bloods, put beds up and down and wheel them around, inspect eyes ears and noses, gown up, put in drains, find all your own stuff all the time, clean up your mess, use the PAX, interpret all modalities of imaging to anyone etc etc etc. It is so cool when your fleeting knowledge of medicine is coupled with your willingness to hook in and work. Diagnosing appendicitis will win minor points in comparison to making a child comfortable, a cup of tea for mum, doing all your investigations and filling out all the paperwork correctly, cleaning up and then presenting, with all your shit in one sock. It seems like we at Notre Dame have a good reputation as thinking junior doctors with the ability to work. Our first sets of interns are still blazing the way, cementing for all of us who boldly follow, some very big shoes to fill. So all the best to everyone in all four years for a safe and productive second half to <strong>2009</strong>. Remember, all skills are learned by repetition. You supply the repetition! NEVER AGAIN! NO MORE DEATHS IN CUSTODY! PUBLIC PROTEST WA Coroner Alistair Hope's findings into the death in custody of respected Warburton Elder who died of heatstroke in horrific circumstances after being transported 380km in the back of a van in 42 degree heat with a pie, less than 600ml of water and no working air-conditioning will be made public on 12 <strong>June</strong> <strong>2009</strong>. Check out the West Australian’s report on this tragedy at www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=146&ContentID=141904 WHEN: Saturday 20th <strong>June</strong> <strong>2009</strong> WHERE: Forrest Chase, Perth TIME: 12 Noon - 2pm SPEAKERS: ‘To be announced’ "The justice system in WA is Broken. It needs to be fixed." Join the public rally to protest Mr. Ward's death, and; · Demand the State Government guarantee that people will be safe in custody, · Take immediate action to reduce Indigenous imprisonment rates in WA which are the highest of any developed country and · Do something real and substantial NOW to tackle racism in the WA Justice System. Contacts: Marc Newhouse 0415-074-602 or Craig Collins on 0428-810-445 / 9444-1930 Email: dicwc@iinet.net.au AUTHORISED BY THE DEATHS IN CUSTODY WATCH COMMITTEE WA INC P. O Box 8196 Perth Business Centre WA 6849
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