My first week yields no complaints. I get to see a variety of injuries, see how different problems are solved, and get to physically see how this line of work produces great outcomes. Seeing new patients in so much pain is tough to see, but seeing patients after surgeries or other forms of treatment definitely makes up for that. I have yet to get tired of this work, but only time will tell.
One thing I hadn't realized about this career was how much paperwork was involved. When I was a patient, I already thought the paperwork was a little much, but there's even more when you're on the other side of the knife. I asked my mentor, Brian Butzen, why he had to complete all of these different steps just to say that a patient had a broken finger, and Brian responded in saying that it's how you get 'points.' Basically, when you complete all of these different steps and forms, you get paid.
Even though I was only able to work two days this week, I feel like I learned so many things through this 'crash course' on being an orthopedic surgeon.
Speaking of surgery, the paperwork which would allow me to observe surgeries has not been approved yet, and it's not looking super hopeful. This means that I won't get to spend as much time working as I had hoped. To still get adequate experience in this line of work, I plan to work a fourth week as well to make up for missed time.
Dr. Butzen has also introduced me to a project that he has been working on and would like for me to complete. From what he's told me, it sounds like it's an "everything you need to know before you have surgery" type packet that would be given to each surgical patient so they know what they should expect. This would take the place of my previous project idea. I think this packet would be much more helpful than my other project idea, and Dr. Butzen will know exactly how to assist me.
I definitely look forward to working more in the next few weeks and gaining so much more knowledge.
One thing I hadn't realized about this career was how much paperwork was involved. When I was a patient, I already thought the paperwork was a little much, but there's even more when you're on the other side of the knife. I asked my mentor, Brian Butzen, why he had to complete all of these different steps just to say that a patient had a broken finger, and Brian responded in saying that it's how you get 'points.' Basically, when you complete all of these different steps and forms, you get paid.
Even though I was only able to work two days this week, I feel like I learned so many things through this 'crash course' on being an orthopedic surgeon.
Speaking of surgery, the paperwork which would allow me to observe surgeries has not been approved yet, and it's not looking super hopeful. This means that I won't get to spend as much time working as I had hoped. To still get adequate experience in this line of work, I plan to work a fourth week as well to make up for missed time.
Dr. Butzen has also introduced me to a project that he has been working on and would like for me to complete. From what he's told me, it sounds like it's an "everything you need to know before you have surgery" type packet that would be given to each surgical patient so they know what they should expect. This would take the place of my previous project idea. I think this packet would be much more helpful than my other project idea, and Dr. Butzen will know exactly how to assist me.
I definitely look forward to working more in the next few weeks and gaining so much more knowledge.