Feeling so discouraged - squeamish!

[imsuperlost]

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So I seem to be in a bit of a predicament. I have always felt that medicine is for me but am starting to feel discouraged. I have passed out two times when shadowing and one time at a medical career camp. I have spent plenty of time observing in the back of the OR (have probably observed 10+ surgeries) and have had no problems with that. The one time I got closer and could really see what was happening, however, I passed out right away. I also passed out while watching a doc stick a patient with a needle in his clinic, and once while learning to give injections. (I have had no problems with cadavers though - not everything gets to me, thank god.) Is this a sign that medicine is not for me, or should I stick it out and continue shadowing? Do most people get over this or do I need to think about other careers?

 

[BigBoss]

So I seem to be in a bit of a predicament. I have always felt that medicine is for me but am starting to feel discouraged. I have passed out two times when shadowing and one time at a medical career camp. I have spent plenty of time observing in the back of the OR (have probably observed 10+ surgeries) and have had no problems with that. The one time I got closer and could really see what was happening, however, I passed out right away. I also passed out while watching a doc stick a patient with a needle in his clinic, and once while learning to give injections. (I have had no problems with cadavers though - not everything gets to me, thank god.) Is this a sign that medicine is not for me, or should I stick it out and continue shadowing? Do most people get over this or do I need to think about other careers?

A condition for matriculation into medical school is that you meet certain technical standards, which means you sign a piece of paper stating that you are able to complete the entire course of study and participate in all aspects of medical training.


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[Kkshake]

I mean, you can always get more exposure to those things to see if you can get over it. It doesn't even have to be with a physician. For instance, donate blood or plasma and frequently watch phlebotomy until you adjust.

 

[DBC03]

My doctor's daughter is in her third or fourth year of medical school and hoping to go into psychiatry. She has passed out on multiple occasions as well (like, every time she is in surgery). So it seems that it can be done - but you will probably want to try to adjust in some way because you still have to get through the education.

 

[futuremdforme]

Continue shadowing! Make sure you're well hydrated and fed beforehand. Maybe watch videos on youtube. Stay far at first then get closer.

 

[Blessthefall]

So I seem to be in a bit of a predicament. I have always felt that medicine is for me but am starting to feel discouraged. I have passed out two times when shadowing and one time at a medical career camp. I have spent plenty of time observing in the back of the OR (have probably observed 10+ surgeries) and have had no problems with that. The one time I got closer and could really see what was happening, however, I passed out right away. I also passed out while watching a doc stick a patient with a needle in his clinic, and once while learning to give injections. (I have had no problems with cadavers though - not everything gets to me, thank god.) Is this a sign that medicine is not for me, or should I stick it out and continue shadowing? Do most people get over this or do I need to think about other careers?

Become a Radiologist. Case closed!

 

[Dr. Souk]

Go speak to a professional about this. There maybe some relatively small mental steps/adjustments you may need to take. This not need be the end of your med career.

 

[ServiceFirst]

As mentioned above, make sure you have eaten, are hydrated, and slept well. Your body sometimes does weird things when you view "less than comforting things" in medicine. Just continue shadowing and make sure you have a chair around so if you feel light headed you can take a seat. Some of the most experienced physicians (even surgeons) I know mentioned they had they same issues when beginning the journeys.

 

[bbbcccppp]

See a neurologist and also a cardiologist. They will do a work up for syncope. Definitely would not define this a sign. It is a condition. Syncope.


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[Toutie]

Stay hydrated and don't lock your knees.

 

[mango1300]

Don't stress! Just like others have said, make sure you are hydrated, fed, rested, etc.
If you feel a fainting spell come on, start pumping your leg muscles, focus on your breathing, and maybe excuse yourself from the room.
I used to have a horrible fear of needles, passed out a few times in nursing school and now I have no issue working in the ICU where it's needles galore
Usually with time it will go away, don't let this discourage you!

 

[AttemptingScholar]

I never fainted shadowing, but I came close watching nurses clean a paralyzed patient's bedsores. I excused myself to go to the bathroom, but I actually just drank water and sat down for five minutes and when I went back in I talked to the patient and didn't pay as much attention to what the nurses were doing. However, I didn't even come close to fainting dur8-hour 8 hour lung surgery I watched. You may need more exposure, to do something difficult to prep (something to stop you from smelling things I've heard can be important), or just go into something that doesn't need it (psychiatry, radiology, pathology!) If you can handle cadavers you can get through med school, and finding a specialty that fits is part of the process everyone goes through. I think you'll be fine.

 

[Fancy_Feast]

I spoke with a medical student (who was formally a nurse) who said she passed out around 10 times (one time ONTO a patient) before the feeling magically went away and never came back. Don't give up just because of this!

 

[DBC03]

Word to the wise - avoid vulvectomies and penile implants until you feel you are getting over it.


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