Saturday Clinic

In Saturday Clinic today, the skills lab was changed into clinical setting for us to examine the elderly patients. They were invited here for free clinical check up by us, second year students. LOL. Wonder how much we know to examine them. My first patient was….

At first, she asked whether she has to come for follow up every time she has any problems. LOL, I doubt she knows the fact that this is our uni skills lab and not a clinic. Ok. Nvm. As usual, I did anamnesis on her, asking her a few questions. She answered as if I am a real doctor. I was quite relieved then. When the male doctor went out for a while, she whisper to me that she was actually in pain on her left breast, which was mastectomy not long ago and she was quite afraid to say out loud. My brain was running, and I try to be as professional as I can, even though this is the first time I heard about phantom pain after mastectomy. Then, she let me do the physical exam on her left breast! She said, “For my own health, I must not be shy. I hope you can help me solve my problem, I did be very very grateful, insya Allah.” Goodness. This is the first time I see breast which is not mine, what more a masectomised one. I try to detect for tumors if there is any, but I guess she is just having phantom pain. Then, I continued with lung exam as she complains of coughing for very long. The truth is, I really have no idea how to solve her problems as she refuses to eat any pain killer by the doctors. My knowledge is too shallow to find any solution for her. She looked at me hopefully, but I have to tell her I am not good enough, and watch her disappointed eyes. Oooo.. I wish I am a better doctor.

My next patient was an old man, who claimed that he has good memory, but unable to remember his phone number and a few items that I showed him. He has a scare cornea and I saw the distorted cornea of his. LOL. I am not sure of my diagnosis, but I think I dint see direct pupillary reflex on the traumatized eyes. Besides hypertension, diabetes, and a scare cornea, he is otherwise fine.

Well, I guess I need to study more in order to be a good doctor. Sometimes, it is really painful to hear hopeful words yet receive disappointed expression from patients. Anyhow, this is sooo interesting. hmm...