Teaching corpsmen

[Perrotfish]

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Just soliciting opinions. As a resident, if I pull the junior (E1-E3) corpsmen off the ward for 30 minutes to do a quick lecture on the pathology they're seeing (diabetes, gastro, etc), is that a good thing, or do you think it would come off as weird/overstepping?

 

[DrMetal]

Just soliciting opinions. As a resident, if I pull the junior (E1-E3) corpsmen off the ward for 30 minutes to do a quick lecture on the pathology they're seeing (diabetes, gastro, etc), is that a good thing, or do you think it would come off as weird/overstepping?

30 minutes?! Too long, you're sure to piss off the nurses that he's working for and the other corpsmen that'll have to cover for him (unless its totally quiet and everyone has such free time). 1 to 5 minutes would be more appropriate, IMO.

 

[bobbyseal]

I take my corpsmen out to round all the time. I'm the attending and not an intern. So, I have a little more leverage there.

 

[corpsman33]

Just soliciting opinions. As a resident, if I pull the junior (E1-E3) corpsmen off the ward for 30 minutes to do a quick lecture on the pathology they're seeing (diabetes, gastro, etc), is that a good thing, or do you think it would come off as weird/overstepping?

Talk to the nursing supervisor or division officer of the ward and volunteer to instruct a department inservice training session. We used to have them weekly and we would solicit instructors from around the hospital to teach them (ie cardiologists for cardio, or anesthesia for malignant hyperthermia, etc etc).

I imagine this would be more well received and you could teach all the corpsman and nurses at once.

 

[155HE]

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[corpsman33]

I thinks it's a nice idea, but agree with the others--check with the nursing supervisors who are in their chain of command. Also, many of my Corpsmen had short attention spans. They're not stupid, but they may lack the basic science background of your med students. Keep it at a level they can understand, and keep it relevant to their scope of practice.

Yea teaching us Corpsman anything beyond blood pressures and wiping butts is pointless. We all have short attention spans and very little education. I know you probably didn't mean it that way, but it came off as pretty arrogant.

I taught ACLS as a Junior E3 corpsman and I am not alone in this regard. Most Corpsman can do more than you probably give them credit for.

 

[Qurmish]

Edit

 

[244913]

I thinks it's a nice idea, but agree with the others--check with the nursing supervisors who are in their chain of command. Also, many of my Corpsmen had short attention spans. They're not stupid, but they may lack the basic science background of your med students. Keep it at a level they can understand, and keep it relevant to their scope of practice.

I think the key point is keeping it relevant. That's going to be tough for the OP to do since he's never served in the fleet or greenside.

OP, I would do some basic stuff like teaching casting/splinting, recognizing different rashes. Teach them a good 5 minute shoulder or knee exam. Teach them how to manage basic GERD, gastroenteritis, URI's (no antibiotics!!).

I taught flight medics mostly, and then ran herd on the ground medics in my aid station. I would instruct these corpsmen as if they are going to be by themselves on a COP with 60 Marines under their care with only telephone consultation available.

Used to be a common situation, when I was in Afghanistan, especially out West. Either way if you view it through that prism you can't go wrong and they'll appreciate it.

ex-61N

 

[cautionmaster]

Yea teaching us Corpsman anything beyond blood pressures and wiping butts is pointless. We all have short attention spans and very little education. I know you probably didn't mean it that way, but it came off as pretty arrogant.

I taught ACLS as a Junior E3 corpsman and I am not alone in this regard. Most Corpsman can do more than you probably give them credit for.

Along this line, I think even a junior physician has a unique opportunity to teach enlisted medical providers and technicians outside of their usual training schedule. From what I saw in the AF, their chain of command included nurses and such who just wanted to teach them how to do paperwork for self-serving purposes. Then they are promptly sent to the field in an unfriendly place. I say go for it!

 

[155HE]

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[corpsman33]

Definitely did not mean to offend or seem arrogant.

I have served with Corpsmen in my prior unit that have been extremely motivated, intelligent, some of whom had college degrees. One was an activated reservist HM1 who was an ICU nurse in his civilian life. I have also served with Corpsmen who have been (or seemed) extremely disinterested in their job and not motivated to learn. I do not make the assumption that all Corpsmen are the latter; 95% of my Corpsmen have been examples of the former. Again, Corpsman33, did not mean to offend.

I do not have much experience with Corpsmen in the hospital. At my old command, it was my firm belief that the Corpsman with whom I served be experts at TCCC and have a good grasp of common sick call complaints, and how to do proper musculoskeletal exams. Like 61November, I tried to focus my teaching on what I thought they had to know if they were alone in the field or some OP, away from the BAS for an extended time, and without the luxury of all the equipment/supplies/meds in the AMALs.

In the hospital setting, again, I would keep your teaching focused, concise, and relevant to where they are working. Any teaching you give is something valuable, especially to the junior Corpsmen.

I figured you meant it that way, it was just the "short attention span" comment that really got to me I guess.

I understand there are crappy corpsman around, but on the flip side I have known dozens who are either doctors now, or are currently in med school.

But you will never know what they are capable of unless you teach them and then see how they perform.

 

[i want out]

I figured you meant it that way, it was just the "short attention span" comment that really got to me I guess.

I understand there are crappy corpsman around, but on the flip side I have known dozens who are either doctors now, or are currently in med school.

But you will never know what they are capable of unless you teach them and then see how they perform.

Did you stop reading after the "short attention span" comment? (Just kidding)

Most of the corpsmen I worked with were motivated to learn, especially if they understood what their role would be when deployed.

You just have to remember they don't all have a degree in biology, and may need some basic science background on whatever your teaching. Also don't assume they will ask, many corpsmen (or med studs or nurses) won't, thinking it will make them look stupid.