It's been a few days since my shift. I worked what is affectionately known as the graveyard shift. It left me quite exhausted the next day with a neck quite depleted of fluids. In any case my time was well invested as I was able to shadow a Doctor and hang out with scribes as I watched medical care in action.
The advent of a new case is always an exciting one. Broken bodies come in on stretchers as the Doctor rushes over to communicate the causes and state of the patient. In one case we received a witnessed cardiac arrest patient. It was chaotic trying to get him to a pulse. There were actually two cardiac arrest patients. While I'd love to relate every single little thing that happened on my six hour shift, I am tired at the moment.
I need to relate the doctor's kindness in allowing me to follow him around. I was able to see how he approached a case from start to finish. I was able to bond with the scribes and see the relationship between the scribe and the Doctor. The bedside manner was impressive to see as well, as everyone in the room knew the truth but pretended not to know it. He played the role of counsel and informer in a careful and relaxed manner. It was most impressive to see someone take control of such delicate situations with the calm and cool of one sipping tea. He approached the family tending to the cardiac arrest patient no different from the Heroin addict in fast track. He diagnoses them on a biased level, but all judgment is put aside as attention is paid in full. This profession is admirable for these small insights I've made.
I must also relate that the Doctor provided further inspiration to us all as he suffers from ADHD. I can think of no better environment for such a person than the ER.
In future shifts I hope to open my eyes to the roles of other professionals such as the nurses as well as form better relationships with the Doctors running around. I need to be asking more questions as well as anticipating roles I can perform.
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