Advice for a Clinical Medicine Beginner

**Gluteus_Maximus** · March 17th, 2010

I just started my clinical postings in medical school. It seems strange to go to the hospital and interact with patients.

Grateful for your advice.

**medstudent** · March 17th, 2010

Welcome. I am also a student and can give some peer advice:

1. You probably entered the medical school with high ideals. As you see the reality, you may find it difficult to accept. Some doctors have a very cynical attitude that should not deter you from your ideals. You have every right to hold your ideals high.

2. Clinical settings can be physically quite stressful. You are expected to stand for longer and walk about a lot.

3. Clinical teaching is quite disorganized as compared to preclinical. Create your own daily schedules to counter this.

4. Read on a daily basis - about what you saw or experienced during the day.

Others may contribute more...

**Gluteus_Maximus** · March 17th, 2010

Thanks for the quick reply! Didn't expect one so soon

Yes, I did notice that it is more stressful and disorganized than preclinicals. I can manage to keep my ideals I guess, and thanks for the tip on studies.

Why is clinical teaching disorganzed?

**Shashikiran** · March 17th, 2010

Okay, as a teacher, I should chip in here about why it is "disorganized" and "stressful".

Preclinical subjects (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology etc) are taught mainly in lectures, small class rooms, laboratories etc. It is, broadly speaking, a "traditional" learning environment, which can be quite well structured. Learning is mostly passive and only sometimes interactive (in PBLs). There is no sense of responsibility for your actions or "wrong answers".

On the other hand, clinical subjects (medicine, surgery, obs/gynae, ophthalmology etc) are taught mainly in the bedside. You cannot predict what type of patients will be in your learning area on a particular day, so naturally teaching will be based on available patients which you may interpret as "disorganized".

You come into contact with "real" patients who have "real" problems. You have to individually spend time (often while standing) to collect their data by interviewing and examining them. When you "present" the problems to your teacher (often in front of the patient), you are open for humiliation in front of the patient for your wrong answers or techniques. Your actions at the bedside will have "real" consequences for the patient, either positive or negative. All these may together be interpreted as "stressful".

**medstudent** · March 17th, 2010

Originally Posted by Shashikiran

you are open for humiliation in front of the patient for your wrong answers or techniques. Your actions at the bedside will have "real" consequences for the patient, either positive or negative.

How true! I agree

Advice for a Clinical Medicine Beginner

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