Clinical Skills Lab - Getting familiar with each others? bodies

[kbeachworth]

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I'm a first year med. student and we justed finished our first course in "Foundations of Clinical Skills" and it was a pretty interesting experience. We had groups of 8 people of mixed genders and learnt cardiovascular, respiratory & gastrointestinal exam basics on each other. It was pretty wierd coming to class dressed in a two piece swim suite underneath ready to expose ourselves to each other. Although we all tried to maintain a professional attitude to each other I found times where it was extremely difficult. I partnered with a guy for a lot of the time and there were moments (eg. palpation of apex beat, femoral pulses) where things where a little to close & personal. I guess we don't 'exposure' ourselves anymore than we do at the beach, but it the touching and closeness that is a little difficult to handle at times. I am pretty comfortable with my body but I think some the guys were getting a little turned on at times, making me particularly uncomfortable. My girlfriend (in another group) was asked by a male if he could practice breast examination on her (out of class) in return for scrotal examination practice - she refused!

I think these sorts of labs are required because it is impossible to practice on real patients when you don't know the basics. I think, however, that it must pretty common for people to feel uncomfortable and for other to people to 'advantage' of the situation in these sorts of labs.

-Kylie

 

[MyEyesMesmerize]

Originally posted by kbeachworth
My girlfriend (in another group) was asked by a male if he could practice breast examination on her (out of class) in return for scrotal examination practice - she refused!

All i gotta say is that I hope you beat that guys a$$ for sayin that!

 

[saiyagirl]

i'm really nervous about doing this next year! lets just say i'd trade bodies with shania twain any day. i guess it gives you a better insight as to how patients feel during exams....

 

[Katie]

well, I'm betting this will be moved to the allopathic forum, but thanks for sharing.. I had Physical Diagnosis I during my second semester of med school with a similar format to your courses. I think b/c everyone had already been together for a semester before the course that it was a little easier. I was partnered with a guy as well and it wasn't too bad b/c we didn't have to strip down to bathing suits and he and I had been in PBL together during the first semester of school. Plus, he had a gf and I knew it, which made it much easier to behave professionally toward each other. Although I usually don't approve of people bringing their significant others into semi-professional conversation with classmates, I think if you have a sig. other that you should definitely find a way to let your partner know so that he will know not to take advantage of the situation. If you don't have a bf at this time, you may want to let him know that you are a bit nervous; usually people are sympathetic.. I never heard of a situation like the one with your friend in our class but who knows. She should have told the guy that in order for the "exchange" to be fair that she would have to do a digital rectal exam on him to examine the prostate. Almost guarenteed that he would never both her again..

 

[Adcadet]

Originally posted by Katie
the "exchange" to be fair that she would have to do a digital rectal exam on him to examine the prostate. Almost guarenteed that he would never both her again..

Some people are into that.

 

[canadagirl]

Is that seriously a required thing at most or many american medical schools? I've never heard of such a thing. Why wouldn't you just practice on actors? I certainly would NEVER feel comfortable participating in such a program and I can't imagine a school REQUIRING someone to do this??

 

[Caffeinated]

Originally posted by canadagirl
Is that seriously a required thing at most or many american medical schools? I've never heard of such a thing. Why wouldn't you just practice on actors? I certainly would NEVER feel comfortable participating in such a program and I can't imagine a school REQUIRING someone to do this??

Some schools do hire people who come in and allow med students to examine them. They all have their own personal reasons for doing it (lost a loved one to a disease, etc). If you have ever read the book "White Coat" the author describes this part of medical school at Harvard. But I am sure every school is different.

 

[2badr]

I have always wondered about this.I have heard various stories on how it is actually done.Nothing too personal tho ...right??😱

 

[DrMom]

From what I've seen, most schools have you practice the basics on classmates, but save the GU-type exams for patient models.

 

[kaos]

This discussion is in the allopathic forum. It was long, and got out of hand after a while. But it was an interesting thread! I'll bump it up in allo.

 

[JJNY]

Yes I am fully aware of this practice and have already started working out in preparation for my matriculation in the 2003 first year class next fall. By then, I should be able to rip off my shirt and BAM! have all the female students swooning.... 😍 😀

 

[Adcadet]

I spent a month shadowing a colorectal surgeon. After the third week, I grew really tired of looking at butts. I now see nothing odd about looking at a rectum, nor would I have a problem getting a rectal exam. But I still would be uncomfortable standing around naked with my classmates. I conclude that experience takes away most inhibitions. Thus, I'm sure after doing exams a few times with classmates, I'll be just fine. In the mean time, I'll get to learn what it is like to be a patient.

 

[HouseHead]

Originally posted by JJNY
Yes I am fully aware of this practice and have already started working out in preparation for my matriculation in the 2003 first year class next fall. By then, I should be able to rip off my shirt and BAM! have all the female students swooning.... 😍 😀

And some of the guys, too... 😀

 

[surfdevl02]

gotta ask....what if she's hot and you get a boner..how embarassing....

 

[Ramoray]

eh even worse like what if u are workiing on another guy and you just get a totally random hard on.. now THAT would be some embarrasing ****

 

[MyEyesMesmerize]

I don't see how the experience of being examined by classmates compares to being a real patient. As a patient I have never felt embarrased by taking my clothes off in front of my doctors. But in front of my own peers, I would feel completely different, especially since you will see these students for 4 years. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's insecure but I can't help it.

 

[Adcadet]

Originally posted by MyEyesMesmerize
I don't see how the experience of being examined by classmates compares to being a real patient. As a patient I have never felt embarrased by taking my clothes off in front of my doctors. But in front of my own peers, I would feel completely different, especially since you will see these students for 4 years. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's insecure but I can't help it.

very good point.

 

[Mutterkuchen]

Originally posted by MyEyesMesmerize
I don't see how the experience of being examined by classmates compares to being a real patient. As a patient I have never felt embarrased by taking my clothes off in front of my doctors. But in front of my own peers, I would feel completely different, especially since you will see these students for 4 years. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's insecure but I can't help it.

You are exactly right. Who would want to give a pelvic exam to their mother?