doctor visits

Started by caffeine52
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caffeine52

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This is kind of random... when you see a doctor (for checkup, surgery, whatever) do you mention that you are a med student?

I've had mixed experiences (it came up once randomly, and I think they wrote it in my file at student health so now different providers always seem to bring it up). Sometimes, I feel like they make a point to be more thorough, and other times they seem to breeze through explaining things. Anyone else had this experience?
 
caffeine52 said:
This is kind of random... when you see a doctor (for checkup, surgery, whatever) do you mention that you are a med student?

I've had mixed experiences (it came up once randomly, and I think they wrote it in my file at student health so now different providers always seem to bring it up). Sometimes, I feel like they make a point to be more thorough, and other times they seem to breeze through explaining things. Anyone else had this experience?
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I've really only had one experience with this and it was a positive one. And also it was at the dentist, not the doctor. I went to get a checkup at the dental school clinic (so the majority of the work was done by a 3rd year dental student, but there were 3 diff dentists that checked in throughout the time). The stuent and I had taken some of the same classes (anatomy, histology, etc), so there was better rapport right off the bat. While I was there they found a cavity and I had to set up another appointment to have that filled. Not only did my appointment come much quicker than expected - and much quicker than other people I know who went there - but the the student filled it with the cosmetic filling and charged me for the cheap amalgmum (sp?). I guess it was some sort of professional courtesy, but I got hooked up and I think they did a more thorough job when looking at my teeth once they knew I was a med student
 
I saw a doctor once in med school. I didn't bring up that I was a med student until he started telling me:

"Well, since you have tenderness in this area that we call the 'snuffbox' I need to get what we call 'xrays', which will show me the bones of your hand . . . "

Had to cut him off there, couldn't take it anymore.
 
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At my school if you're a med student, for primary care issues, you're shipped off to the NPs. The only good thing about that is they do what I ask them to do.

When I've had to go see specialists it depends on the year of school. After I finished M1 year, I had to go see an ortho hand guy (I got an immediate appointment because I was doing research with the ortho joint guy when I injured myself), and he explained everything in detail (especially since I want to go into ortho), made sure I understood the MRI, and basically said that since I'm a med student, I'm probably going to be a basically compliant patient, and if I promise to be good I could have a splint instead of a cast. When I had to see a neurologist this year (M3), he asked if I had already taken neuro, and he said he'd just have me do the complete neuro exam, asked if I had any questions about any part, when I didn't he was fine with it, and I basically made sure to answer any of his questions before he asked them during the history.

M2 year, I had surgery, and when I was in the PACU, the OB/gyn clerkship director came to talk to me, explain what happened in the surgery, and tell me I was excused from the rest of the week of classes, and that he was going to call my parents to let them know I was OK (it was an emergent surgery). Then later that day, another gyn doc came up to make sure I still understood stuff that happened, the pathophys behind what happened, explained the pictures from surgery, etc. It was also written that I was NOT to go to the resident clinic, but only to the gyn who did the surgery or the clerkship director, since I was a student.
 
The normal doctors we get tend to be residents (Mostly FP), whose other clinic clients tend to be low income/no insurance etc.

So, when a dapper young mid twenty year old dressed in nice slacks and shirt shows up fresh from rounds for his appointment, they usually assume you're a medical student.
 
caffeine52 said:
This is kind of random... when you see a doctor (for checkup, surgery, whatever) do you mention that you are a med student?

I've had mixed experiences (it came up once randomly, and I think they wrote it in my file at student health so now different providers always seem to bring it up). Sometimes, I feel like they make a point to be more thorough, and other times they seem to breeze through explaining things. Anyone else had this experience?
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This one is simple:

1) If you want "professional courtesy" and good colleague rapport mention and be humble you are a med student..

2)If you are above "professional courtesy", dont need any percs and like playing "I spy" sit there like a model patient.. {this does not mean that they do not already know you are a med student..

3)Also I would NOT recommend doing too much talking and bragging like some knuckleheads!!

4)Oh yeah, there is a human element and a slight stroke to ones ego for the doc to be and his parents.. "Dr. Jones. did you know that guy is a future neurosurgeon and wont allow famous Ben Carson to scrub in with him" ... Or -"Dr. Jones the guy in your office walks like a doctor.". Actually my grandmother used the latter which I thought was funny..
 
Every time that I have had a medical or dental appointment since starting med school this has come up in conversation or during the social history. I dont know that I would go specifically bring this up myself if I wasn't asked. However, my mother seems to think that the fact that her daughter is a medical student is vitally important information and will tell every MD, DDS, NP, etc. It doesn't matter how many times I tell her that no one cares. It's actually kinda cute (To me. Eyeroll-inducing to her doctors, I'm sure). 🙂
 
I don't usually volunteer the information, but it's always come up at some point. I think my favorite was when a dermatologist asked me to describe my lesion and I said that it was about 1 cm in diameter. He looked at me and asked if I was in medicine. Apparently the metric system tipped him off.
 
bjackrian said:
I don't usually volunteer the information, but it's always come up at some point. I think my favorite was when a dermatologist asked me to describe my lesion and I said that it was about 1 cm in diameter. He looked at me and asked if I was in medicine. Apparently the metric system tipped him off.
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Did you call it a "contimeter"?
 
I have been just because I've been having good experiences with it. I think it's also obvious when I am able to explain my random injuries in greater detail and a more concise manner than most patients.

I really like it because I feel that they are more apt to go over my tests in greater detail than with most patients. Once my allergist learned that I was interested in medicine I noticed that he started going through the spirometry tests in detail and explained what each number meant, and today when I had my shoulder looked at, the doctor went over the xray much more thoroughly.
 
Usually when I mentioned I was a student and then mentioned my school (we pretty much only churn out med students) it was soon discovered. I like it because most physicians will give me a little more control over my treatment, more explanation etc. For instance, with my rheumatologist I pretty much control all of my own steroid tapers. And, it means that she also treats me more aggressively because she knows I have a stressful life and need to function for exams etc. And my favorite, was when I was referred to Ortho after breaking my foot and seeing the urgent care, I was introduced as a 1st year medical student. And the poor guy trying to fit me for the boot starting saying, "You know you broke a part of your foot in this little area here..." Apparently he missed the memo. Yep, saw the x-ray with the fractures in the base of the 5th metatarsal and yes I've had anatomy. I at least know that.
 
My dentist and internist both know. I like to make lasting relationships (been going to the same barbershop for 20 years), and they work out better when you know the people.
 
I have a weird disease and several specialists and all of them know I'm a lowly first-year med student. I was in the hospital for a couple of days not too long ago, and if it hadn't been for my (very) rudimentary knowledge, I might not have left that dang place alive! Also, my docs always go the extra mile for me and it's relieving to have that, at least, a sure bet.
 
My dentist, dermatologist (she helped me with my personal statement), and ex-pediatrician all know.

Haven't had to be seen by a physician at all lately (thankfully). But they will know. The clinical software program at our university indicates employees/students with a nice yellow banner.
 
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I havent been to the doctor since I started all this (well, there was some generic residency physical but obiviously they knew you were a new breed) but I did visit with my VET about getting one of my boys neutered. I was asking questions about incontinence, complications, and such. He finally stopped me and asked if I was in VET school....hehe

I would prefer the 'I spy' rec.....

I have been with some family to the doctor and I just never say a thing (its hard to get grandma to not brag). But it is interesting to see how the private guy comes in a does his thing....
 
If you're having any kind of elective procedure done, the surgeon will give you a professional discount if they know you're a med student.

If you get stuck in the hospital for some reason at my school as a med student, the attending will be responsible for your care instead of another med student or resident.
 
I've had mostly positive experiences (though I got pimped by an orthopod I went to see...). When I went to a derm for an allergy she didn't even charge me for my visit 😀
 
every doctor i've been to, asks what do you do, and i reply im a student, and then they ask what kind, to which i reply im a med student. i've only gotten positive feedback.

yay
 
pnp366 said:
every doctor i've been to, asks what do you do, and i reply im a student, and then they ask what kind, to which i reply im a med student. i've only gotten positive feedback.

yay
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Yes absolutely, positively! ! It's part of being detective like, "knowing what you are dealing with" and being William Osler -like!

Part of the field: To KNOW whats going on! (even without asking)
 
I've mentioned it...my GPs don't much care. I believe it depends on how much time the physician has, and how burned out they are.
 
I went in for a rapid strep test recently and had the doctor spend a good 5 minutes explaining to me that I have a virus and we don't have the technology to treat it with medication yet, so he couldn't give me a prescription. He then quizzed me on how much water I need to be drinking and how to tell if I'm dehydrated. It was nice that he was thorough, but get on with your day already... I might start telling them I'm a med student even though I don't start until next year.
 
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