Struggling to complete procedure log requirements, any thoughts?

[tiramisu1]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm in my first clinical year. We have a certain number of required procedures to perform during each clinical rotation. We’re expected to perform and get sign-offs, which is usually fine, but like 1-2 out of 10 are universally hard to catch as students. My friends and I have tried everything - paying close attention in rounds, asking the junior doctors and nurses, leaving our contacts, hanging around treatment rooms, going to the ED, going at odd hours etc.

We’re willing to learn and practice, but understandably, it’s not their priority to notify us when an opportunity comes up. Bolder students have come up with alternative ways to check off the boxes.

When the hunt gets to the point of becoming counterproductive, what are practical or acceptable ways to complete these requirements? Is it normal to feel uncomfortable and out of place?

 

[operaman]

Can you specify which ones you’re talking about?

I seemed to have a knack for getting procedures as a student. My trick was to either help set up or ask to do the part right before the procedure. 9/10 times when you’re standing there in position and ready the supervising doc will give you a shot at whatever you’re doing.

 

[Smurfette]

I'm in my first clinical year. We have a certain number of required procedures to perform during each clinical rotation. We’re expected to perform and get sign-offs, which is usually fine, but like 1-2 out of 10 are universally hard to catch as students. My friends and I have tried everything - paying close attention in rounds, asking the junior doctors and nurses, leaving our contacts, hanging around treatment rooms, going to the ED, going at odd hours etc.

What procedures are you talking about and is it just 1 of each procedure or multiple?

We’re willing to learn and practice, but understandably, it’s not their priority to notify us when an opportunity comes up. Bolder students have come up with alternative ways to check off the boxes.

When the hunt gets to the point of becoming counterproductive, what are practical or acceptable ways to complete these requirements?

It would help to know the specific things you are trying to do. Also, are you doing clinicals at hospitals affiliated with your school or are you at a different site because you are a caribbean or DO student with a list of things per rotation that the school has no actual control/connections to ensure you get?

Is it normal to feel uncomfortable and out of place?

Yes. Very much so. That feeling continues into residency, fellowship and attendinghood and fades when you start getting comfortable and comes back every time there's a big change.

 

[tiramisu1]

Thank you! I was looking to do a rather simple and common procedure - inserting a urine catheter. Yet my struggle is rather on knowing when is it being done and catch the opportunity (somehow this one proved to be difficult). I have received tried the advices given to me (I generally know where to catch, who to ask etc), and I've paid attention during rounds etc. Problem is, when I feel like I need to repeatedly asking the nurses/doctors multiple times a week (for any particular reason - procedures, teaching), I fear being a nuisance or being super awkward. I'm also a naturally quiet and reserved and anxious person, so that also doesn't help. I'm eager to practice and learn but sometimes struggle to balance between being responsible for my learning and feeling out of place... I wonder how to make it through or just accept the discomfort.

For any particular procedure, we need 1-2 of each.

I'm not a Caribbean or DO student. My school does keep track of our logs.

 

[RockClimberMed]

Seems weird if youre at an academic hospital finding a urine cath would be hard...I placed at least like 1-2 per day during OB since pretty much everyone got one before any GYN proecure. I just asked the resident before the case started.

 

[tiramisu1]

@RockClimberMed this is in Internal Medicine not in OB, also we need to insert for a male. Can we still look for them in the OR before any operation?

 

[Smurfette]

Thank you! I was looking to do a rather simple and common procedure - inserting a urine catheter. Yet my struggle is rather on knowing when is it being done and catch the opportunity (somehow this one proved to be difficult). I have received tried the advices given to me (I generally know where to catch, who to ask etc), and I've paid attention during rounds etc. Problem is, when I feel like I need to repeatedly asking the nurses/doctors multiple times a week (for any particular reason - procedures, teaching), I fear being a nuisance or being super awkward. I'm also a naturally quiet and reserved and anxious person, so that also doesn't help. I'm eager to practice and learn but sometimes struggle to balance between being responsible for my learning and feeling out of place... I wonder how to make it through or just accept the discomfort.

For any particular procedure, we need 1-2 of each.

I'm not a Caribbean or DO student. My school does keep track of our logs.

I personally feel like an IM rotation is a weird rotation to have students learn foleys on, compared to surgery or OB. In my own experience, I've never seen an internal med doc put in a foley as they seem to just put in an order or call urology if the nurses can't get one in. But why aren't your attendings/residents trying to help you identify patients needing foleys for you? They must know their med students need those procedures. You probably need to befriend the nurses so they know to call you when there is one and help you out. Talk to them and leave a note at the nurse's station with your name and number. However, given all the patients who need diuresis or strict I/Os, or who have urinary retention, I would think there are plenty of patients needing one. The ER and ICU also can be good places to find someone needing a foley.

 

[RockClimberMed]

@RockClimberMed this is in Internal Medicine not in OB, also we need to insert for a male. Can we still look for them in the OR before any operation?

Yeah idk then. Like the other user said, having a foley requirement during IM is atypical. It would also be weird if you're a student on IM going around the OR asking to place foleys lol.