There's a time in the life of every student of medicine....that time was today.

[Aristus]

I don't know about all medical students, and all P.A. students (like me), but I know I've dreamed for a while of being able to just walk into the exam room, take a quick cursory peek at the patient's problem, and say, "Oh yeah, that's xxxxxx. I can take care of that."

I mean, most of the time, I can get the diagnosis, or a differential, pretty quick from the patient's verbal history of the complaint. But it means asking some routine questions and follow-ups, and doing a review of systems. A student has to be diligent, and show his teacher that he's thinking through the problem. Document everything.

But today, I walked into the exam room. The patient had listed 'rash' on the complaint form. As I walked in, he lifted his shirt and said "What is this, doc?" (Most patients don't know a Physician Assistant from a production assistant; if you're wearing a white coat and carrying a stethoscope, they call you 'doc'.)

I took one look.

"That's called molluscum contagiousum. It's viral. It'll go away on its own."

Some patient education and reassurance followed, but the visit lasted less than 10 minutes.

That was great. I'm getting the hang of diagnostics.

Today was my day...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Aristus!

Well, I always knew you were smart...

And today brought the proof of that.

Good for you, sweetie!

It does feel so good to know absolutely what you are doing, doesn't it?

:toast:

[kimi]

2. Ah, congrats!!

It does feel great to know that you're THAT competent and professional at something you've worked hard and studied long for. I was a nurse, and helping people, and knowing WHAT to say and HOW to help them is the best reward.

That feeling never gets old!!

[david13]

3. Well you are one up on me. I was going to say scarlet fever. But

I didn't see the patient.
dc

[Aristus]

5. Well, as my Adult Medicine instructor used to say:

"When all else, fails, look at the patient." :P

[elleng]

6. DITTO!

and my only 'degrees' are MOM and JD!

[Blue-Jay]

4. It was probably lupus.

[Canuckistanian]

7. My God ,man. That patient had Leprosy!

And you diagnosed a trivial case of molluscum contagiousum??

I hope your patient's attending doesn't catch wind of this.

Your only hope - blame it on someone else. You're welcome.

[Suich]

8. Nice work, Aristus!

I wish all doctor visits were only 10 mins. long!

:hi:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

9. they're spreading!

[Fire Walk With Me]

10. You're certain it wasn't Kudzu?

(Congrats!) :hi: