This is Pediatrics..

Continuing the countdown. Ten weeks into this now, so I decided to write this blog post in English. It kind of messes up my blog structure a bit - but it would be stupid not to try. Hopefully it shows that I learned something being here...

This weekend will be the last "golden weekend" of our stay here, and I will of course be posting the regular weekend review and pictures from tomorrow's football game and Halloween party. But first, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts from the last week. I was way too miserable last week, and I don't want to give the impression that this is how I'm feeling all the time. Most of the time, things are still good. I'm tired as hell, but anything else would be strange. Kudos to everyone who actually goes to med.school in the US. Just a heads up: This is not normal:

Sunrise in Longbeach. Been up for 2 hours already...

Setting a new world record in yawning...

The final three weeks of our rotation (and stay here!) is at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, which is a lot farther away from our house. That means even earlier mornings and later nights than on OB/GYN. The patient load is smaller at this hospital, so we're not super busy all the time. Still, we're at the hospital for 12-14 hours every day (plus the 45 minute drive each way), so there's not much left of the day when you get home at night. The time for studying is non-existent if you're not able to spend the down time at the hospital doing it. I'm not very good at that. I don't have a good feeling about these upcomping exams, but it just has to work out... Failing is not an option.

This week we've been on the admitting team, meaning that we go down to the Emergency Department when patients come in, do our H&P's and write the notes. They have electronic patient charts in this hospital, so it's more similar to what we're used to from home. Still, the system is so different in ways of writing the notes and presenting the patients to our seniors. It's very strict, very formal, and it needs to be done in a specific manner every time. It doesn't make it a whole lot easier when every senior wants everything in a different way, but I think we're starting to get the hang of it now. It just seems like every time that happens here, we switch to a different system or team, and everything has to be learned all over again. It's a good thing that the people on our team are kind and understanding... The lost Norwegians trying their best...

Would you let this doctor examine your kid..?

Four weeks into the Peds rotation, I've definitely figured out that this is not on the list of things I want to go into in the future. I was afraid I wouldn't do well with the kids, causing me not to like this rotation. That didn't turn out to be the problem. The kids are adorable most of the time. I don't have any issues with diapers or crying or the kids not liking me. My biggest issue with Peds is that it's too big of a field. It's too much. It's infections, chronic diseases, injuries, genetic disorders, trauma, fractures, developmental delay, mental retardation, puberty, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, eating disorders, abuse, pshychiatric issues.... Every time a kid comes in with unspecific symptoms, the list of what could be causing the problem is endless. Even when the case is pretty obvious, you still have to consider additional problems from all other systems. Kids get everything that grown ups get and more. They're just placed into one big pile because they're under 18. It's the only thing they have in common. On top of that, you usually need the parents to tell you about the actual problem, because most of the time the kids are too young, too shy or too embarrassed to give you a good history themselves. Sometimes the parents can actually be the biggest issue of it all. I've met a few parents that are challenging to say the least. To be a good pediatrician you have to be good at EVERYTHING, and if you're not, you have to be extremely good at looking things up. Quickly. You also have to be really good at referring your patiens to other specialists who can take care of the problem for each organ system involved. Peds is too big for me. I admit it, I don't have the patience or the persitence... I would much rather be one of those specialists, that being either a surgeon, neurologist or gynecologist. I ran into one of our OB residents in the hallway at the hospital. Our brief encounter says it all: Dr. E: "How's it going?". Me: "Good. Peds now..". Dr. E "I know. I'm sorry...". Glad we got that sorted out.

I doodled to hide the OSCE EXAM reminder in my calendar... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Now it's bed time. I'm almost falling asleep in front of my computer... Tomorrow will be a good day!