The path to becoming a practicing physician requires dedication and a significant investment of time and resources.
I have wanted to be a doctor since I was young, says George Novan M.D., an infectious diseases physician and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
But even long-held aspirations come with surprises, and challenges. In his second year of medical school, Dr. Novan had an experience that surprised him, challenged his expectations, and taught him a lesson thats stayed with him throughout his career.
In my school, we had a course entitled Death and Dying, Dr. Novan says. As part of the course, each student was assigned a patient who was dying and had agreed to discuss what they were going through with a medical student.
I was expecting an elderly patient, and instead, I walked into the room and met a woman in her mid-30s. It was a shock and she saw that in my expression. As she saw my expression, she began to tell me her story. And as her fears, and her emotions came out, she taught me. I had been so focused on all the facts I needed to know in my basic medical science courses yet now I was talking to a young woman dying of her cancer. This courageous woman who took the time and effort to discuss her suffering with me taught me the full responsibility of being a physician.
The path to becoming a practicing physician requires dedication and a significant investment of time and resources. It demands a deep love for learning in general, and intellectual curiosity about medicine in particular. And, as Dr. Novan learned early on, while physicians are trained to treat and cure patients, they also must learn to provide quality comfort and care to patients and families when treatment is no longer working.
Learning in Washington communities
The foundational science phases of medical school provide a solid base and common understanding upon which future classwork and experiental learning will build. Coursework on anatomy, chemistry and math prepares students for the intellectual and emotional rigors to come, and builds a network of bonds as classmates and future colleagues begin to work together.
Intensive orientation courses assist students with assimilation into medical school. Clinical education is integrated into the foundational sciences curriculum, offering future physicians insights into how their coursework translates into real-life situations.
In August, Washington State Universitys Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine will debut its medical education program, which leads to a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. The program will welcome 60 students to its charter class.
Starting in their first year, medical students will learn in classrooms and labs, as well as hospitals and clinics. In many areas, local hospitals and clinics are understaffed, and the connection between them and the medical college can be a lifeline.
Dr. Radha Nandagopal is a member of the clinical faculty of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. She also chairs the Colleges Admissions Committee.
We are looking for those students who are committed to the state of Washington, committed to the idea of rural and underserved medicine, Dr. Nandagopal says.
By the third and fourth years, medical students are gaining hands-on experience in hospitals and clinics near their campus locations. Students become part of professional teams in community clinics and hospitals. They build relationships with faculty, colleagues, mentors, patients, and communities. Small cohorts encourage team-based learning.
As part of their clinical education, students will learn clinical reasoning how to proceed step by step through a reasoning process to arrive at a diagnosis. By the time students enter their third year of clinical clerkships, students will be able to advance diagnostic ideas and participate in patient care based on the knowledge and experience they have been receiving since their first year, says Dr. Nandagopol.
Dr. Novan recalls the experience that made him feel like a doctor for the first time. In his fourth year of medical school, he was treating a patient suffering from cirrhosis. The patient needed to have fluid buildup siphoned from his abdominal cavity on a regular basis.
He had experienced the drainage so many times that the assumption always had been that the only thing needed was to remove the fluid and not order unnecessary tests, Dr. Novan says. But I had been taught well to be thorough in reviewing a patients medical records. I took my clinical rotations and of course, patient care very seriously as a fourth-year student.
I spent considerable time reading through his records. I was never able to find a time when that fluid had been sent to the microbiology lab for cultures. When I completed the procedure, I included ordering cultures for a variety of organisms. The cultures returned positive revealing that in addition to cirrhosis he had tuberculosis involving the lining of his abdominal cavity. This lead to needed new treatment.
The patient was immensely grateful. He started referring to me as his doctor his guru which made me feel both embarrassed and glad. On the last day of my rotation, I came into his room to say goodbye. In the room was his entire family. They each had a homemade vase, that they had created, in their hands. The patient shared how much my care had meant to him and the family gave me the vases that they had made in honor of the man they loved getting better and in appreciation for my care. That day I learned an invaluable lesson as a medical student.
Students at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine take the Art and Practice of Medicine that addresses not only what students know, but what they will do as a medical professional, including helping students build empathy for the patients they will serve.
By integrating clinical, simulation, and case-based learning experiences, the College prepares graduates to lead health care teams, says Dr. Ann Poznanski, pathologist and Associate Dean for Curriculum. They learn to coordinate resources in new ways to improve patient care and the health of their communities.
Many of the communities in which students at schools like the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine will train are facing critical physician shortages. When the students education is complete, they will be ready to address the needs of these medically underserved communities.
Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine not only trains physicians to meet the needs of todays patients, but to anticipate changes in the delivery of health care that includes wellness, as well as treating diseases. It equips graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving health care environment and gives them the technical, behavioral and leadership skills necessary to obtain exceptional results in the states most challenging healthcare environments.
We are building a service culture in the college that will result in extraordinary outcomes for our students, says Founding Dean John Tomkowiak. It will also yield tremendous results for our clinical partners and, ultimately, the patients and communities our graduates serve.
The Colleges learning, training, and clinical environments will inspire our students to be leaders in their communities and in the health care field, says Dr. Tomkowiak.
Washington State University has delivered advanced education for more than 125 years. Its new medical school leverages that experience to achieve new milestones in medical research, innovation, inte
rprofessional education and patient-centered care. Find out more at medicine.wsu.edu.
Here is the original post:
Medical school lessons go beyond anatomy and physiology - The Seattle Times
- Anatomy of a Fly - SIFF 2009 Fly Documentary - Video - January 14th, 2013 [January 14th, 2013]
- Grey's Anatomy Sneak Peek 9.11 - The End is the Beginning is the End (6) - Video - January 15th, 2013 [January 15th, 2013]
- Anatomy of the sangeet! - Video - January 18th, 2013 [January 18th, 2013]
- Go Anatomy for iPad - Video - January 19th, 2013 [January 19th, 2013]
- Grey's Anatomy - Callie and Arizona "We don't have to move yet" 9x16 - Video - February 22nd, 2013 [February 22nd, 2013]
- Imaging of Petrous bone anatomy (Sep 2013) - Dr Mamdouh Mahfouz (In Arabic) - Video - January 14th, 2014 [January 14th, 2014]
- Anatomy in the Yahoo! Directory - January 21st, 2014 [January 21st, 2014]
- Let's Play Minecraft - Episode 87 - Geoff's Anatomy - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Cat Anatomy Pg. 25 Lab Notes - Video - February 2nd, 2014 [February 2nd, 2014]
- Spinal Pathways Tracts Part 1 Introduction Anatomy Tutorial - Video - February 9th, 2014 [February 9th, 2014]
- Galway health app firm joins US academy - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10 episode 18 airs tonight: Power through - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Recap: A Vicious Viral Infection Puts Everyone At Risk - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Recap: "You Be Illin'" - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 19 stills show Cristinas big moment - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Review: 'Your Inner Fish' on PBS imparts smart human anatomy lesson - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Fantastically Creepy Images and Tales From The Morbid Anatomy Anthology - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Step Brothers- Anatomy Movements - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Matt Lloyd: Anatomy of a $315k / Month Business - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Guitar Anatomy | Minute Music School - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Anatomy Mnemonics - Chapter 3 : Nervous System - DoctorKC - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Bates Motel: Anatomy of a Scene: Bradley Shoots Gil (S2) - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Innovation at Stanford Anatomy - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- The science of anatomy is undergoing a revival - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy: Will Alex Really Leave Grey Sloan Memorial? - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10 episode 19 airs tonight: A major award - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Anatomy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- anatomy man 3d visual effects - Video - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Talk about human anatomy - part 1 - Video - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Bootstraps - I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Video - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Recap: Cristinas Career Hits A Major Milestone - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 stills, synopsis: Trouble in paradise? - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Anatomy - New World Encyclopedia - Info:Main Page - New ... - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- anatomy (biology) -- Encyclopedia Britannica - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Jean Sives ITEC Anatomy and Physiology Testimonial - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Grey Text Anatomy - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- The Devil Wears Prada - Anatomy (HD GUITAR COVER) - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- 'Joe' | Anatomy of a Scene w/ Director David Gordon Green | The New York Times - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- 'Fame' by Mree (Grey's Anatomy 10x19) - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Tessa Ferrer Joins the Cast of Extant! Grey's Anatomy Cast-Off Books New Gig on CBS' Summer Series - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Brain anatomy differences between deaf, hearing depend on first language learned - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Captain America Winter Soldier | Anatomy of a Movie - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy After Show Season 1 Episode 13 "I'm Winning" | AfterBuzz TV - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Spoiler Chat: Scoop on Grey's Anatomy, Orphan Black, The Mindy Project, The Blacklist and More - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- Anatomy of a recall - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- NBME Shelf Exam - Case Files Series App - Anatomy - Video - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- Radius and ulna - Anatomy tutorial (Preview) | Kenhub - Video - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Season 10 Spoilers: Finale Teases Traumatic Ending; Will Cristina Yang Be Killed Off In Episode 24? - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 airs tonight: Having faith - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- (WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS) Game of Thrones Season 4: Anatomy of a Scene - The Royal Wedding (HBO) - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Heart anatomy - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Heart anatomy 3 Left & Right pulmonary veins, ascending aorta, left common carotid - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Heart anatomy 2 tricuspid valve, bicuspid valve - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Flash Brain Anatomy Review - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Anatomy of the 2014 Birdathon - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Season 10 Spoilers: Episode 23 And 24 Titles Leaked Online; Song-Based Titles Gives Fans Clues Of ... - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Recap: Does Cristina Yang Win The Harper-Avery Award? - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 recap: Making mistakes - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Recap: "Go It Alone" - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy: April & Jackson Need To Make Their Marriage Work - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Music Season 10x20 Aron Wright Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Video - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Cast - How To Save A Life - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- ReVamp - The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown: On The Sideline - Philly 2014 - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- Twisted Mind Anatomy - Don't Run Away EP - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- Anatomy of a Landscape trailer - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- Advanced Anatomy - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- anatomy study - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- |An anatomy of a Rabbit - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy 10x21 "Change Of Heart" - Farewell to Cristina - ABC HD promo #1 - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- Anatomy of Cosplay: LIVE Q&A (with Sam & Mae!) - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- DJ Tennis - Anatomy (North Lake Remix) - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- ITEC Anatomy & Physiology Testimonial by Kerry Howard - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- The anatomy of a sexuality class - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Human body - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- 'Fading Gigolo' | Anatomy of a Scene w/ Director John Turturro | The New York Times - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Guitar Anatomy - Part 1 - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Anatomy Scan At 19Weeks 3Days - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy After Show Season 10 Episode 20 "Go It Alone" | AfterBuzz TV - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy 10x21 Promo | Grey's Anatomy Season 10 Episode 21 Promo| Grey's Anatomy S10E21 Promo - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Season 10 Spoilers: Cristina Yang To Make A Life Or Death Decision In Episode 21; Who Will She Save ... - April 24th, 2014 [April 24th, 2014]