Confidence on the ward

Oh and a random patient handing me their poop and pee samples

Jan 12, 2021

Slow confidence build-up:

I remember in August 2020 when I started hospital rotations, I was nervous on the first day because I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know how hospitals worked, I didn’t know what would happen really. However, 5 months in and I am starting to get quite comfortable in a hospital setting. Getting comfortable speaking to doctors and nurses. The reason to why I am highlighting this is so that when you are starting your clinical rotations, you can refer to this and remember that it is a COMMON feeling of anxiety and nervousness. Do not start going down a rabbit hole of thinking you don’t deserve to be here because you are nervous, or that other people are probably not nervous etc.. Don’t go down that hole.

Confidence battle last week:

With that being said, last week was my second time in the internal medicine ward. This is a ward where the general patients are kept. Patients with suspected COVID but not confirmed, patients with neuro symptoms etc. I was there because of my neuro rotation and I had to speak/examine 5 of the neuro patients there. One of the patients was in a room with 4 beds, and before entering, I noticed that there were 2 doctors about to enter as well. I became REALLY REALLY nervous. I think mainly because I was nervous about approaching a patient and asking if they spoke English as well as not being fully comfortable with a neurological examination and I just don’t know why, but I became very uncomfortable. I didn’t want the doctors to judge me in case I messed up and I just let the panic get to me. After like 5 minutes of standing and doing nothing, I just forced myself into the room and the doctor was already examining my patient. Even though it was a small relief, a part of me was upset because I had finally gotten the courage to just go and do what I wanted to do. I am holding on to that courage though for the next time a scenario like this takes place and I won’t delay it next time.

What I want you to take from this? that if you end up doubting your abilities and you end up being nervous to speak to a patient because a ‘random’ doctor will judge you, then you will regret it. I surely do. If you make a mistake, let the doctor judge. A good doctor will approach you and guide you and give you hints when you are done. They were once students too. So if you ever find yourself in a scenario like mine, do not make the same mistake. Take a deep breath, plan what you need to do, and go and do it.

If you know why I used this photo in this newsletter, then you’re a real one

Poop and pee:

While walking in the internal medicine ward, a random patient walks up to me, hands me two bottles, their faeces and urine sample and says thank you and walks back into their room. I don’t know why I found it so funny, but yeah - that happened.

Song of the week:

Video of the week:

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🚶🏻‍♂️ About me:

My name is Habib and I am a 5th-year Medical student currently in Cyprus. I grew up in Tanzania (Hakuna Matata is from the local language of my country and the second tallest mountain (Kilimanjaro) is found there).

I’m just a regular Medical student who enjoys what he does and I like to express my creative side through my youtube channel which you can check out too if you’d like :D

Weekly IV infusion

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