Some of the many things that I learned on my Surgery rotation at Metropolitan Hospital were about which conditions require surgical interventions, benefits and risks of various procedures, comorbidities that affect healing, and the opportunity to practice hands-on skills. I worked with both residents and PAs in preop, post op, and consults and gained a lot from their expertise. Since this was my last rotation, I sought opportunities to learn as much as I can about caring for critically ill patients since that is the specialty that I hope to pursue.
The time I spent in the OR was a fascinating experience. I appreciated when the surgeons took the time to explain surgical indications and the various surgical methods. I used this opportunity to be able to visualize patient anatomy up close and be able to educate future patients about what various procedures entail. Some of the patients that I was with in the OR were patients I had seen for preop consultation in clinic so I appreciated having interviewed the patient before, being very familiar with their history, and the continuity of care.
One of my favorite parts of this rotation was the time I spent in the SICU. Since I expressed interest, I was allowed to do SICU rounds and spend time there in between cases. I learned a lot about managing critically ill surgical patients including the many possible complications that they can face. I appreciated being able to follow the same patients each day, especially those with multiple comorbidities and post op complications. I learned about the systematic approach to take in managing an ICU patient by organ system. I also learned about vent settings, nutritional concerns, fluid management, and surgical wound care. I got to practice writing SICU admission H and Ps and discharge summaries.
Another opportunity I had on this rotation was to participate in surgical consults. I saw many patients on the floors and in the ED, performed H and Ps on my own, and reported back to the residents. I saw patients with a variety of pathologies including angioedema, clotted AV fistulas, pneumothoraces, and abdominal concerns. In the ED I performed procedures such as I & D, suturing lacerations, and wound care for various injuries.
The last weeks of my rotation were spent in the specialty surgery clinics with the PAs. The specialties varied by day of the week and included ENT, wound care, vascular, colorectal, plastics, hand, and breast surgery. During these clinics I got to practice skills like wound care for chronic wounds while learning about the various products available, and multiple suture removals. I also learned about the indications for surgery in various disease processes. I had the opportunity to visualize ENT scopes and clean ears. I also encountered many cancer patients and was amazed by their upbeat attitudes while navigating their roads to recovery.
In conclusion, I gained a lot from this rotation and learned many new things. I now appreciate how the surgery service runs, who requires surgical intervention, and which people need medical management or just reassurance. I appreciate the knowledge and skills that I gained that will surely be useful to me in my future career.
