It is what it is.

I'm not allowed to say too much about this rotation for legal reasons, but I will say that I've developed a serious respect for the clinicians who deal with this patient population. There's a fine line between patient and offender here, and I'm trying my best to observe and sort it out in my mind. This rotation is just about the complete opposite from my last one, but it is allowing me to get a closer look at a darker side of both psyche and pediatrics. Knowledge is power, and I'm definitely learning a great deal.

Tomorrow is a new day.

I just heard back from my classmate who last finished the Psych rotation I'll be starting tomorrow. She said it was a lot of observing ... very little one on one interaction with patients. You are with the Psychiatrist almost all of the time, and it's all mental status exams that are performed monthly/weekly, there are few to no physical examinations (the internal medicine Doc handles all of that). She did say that it was difficult being around the patients, as those in the building where we rotate are either criminally insane, pedophiles, or violent sex offenders.

Anyhow, she was very reassuring and told me that as long as I watch my back at all times that I'll be fine, and that there will always be adequate staff around. She mentioned that there are back exits and entrances which she utilized a lot. She also said that a majority of the cases involve schizophrenia, so I'll be reading up on that this evening.

Here goes ...

Almost finished.

And sorry to say it. It's been a great experience, not just because it's Pediatrics but also because of my preceptor. A D.O. with many years of experience, he is intelligent, caring, thoughtful, and perhaps most importantly, lacks ego issues. He has been open to discussion, even to learning. I consider him a bit of a role model and colleague, as I too try and live the same way ... I don't ever want my ego to come in the way of my acquiring useful knowledge.

I've seen a lot of 'less serious' conditions ... many viral in origin. Still, I've also seen RSV bronchiolitis turn into serious bacterial pneumonia, as well as other more urgent conditions. The young girl with septic arthritis who we sent directly to be admitted. The woman who has been sleeping a lot, only to find that she's pregnant. So many details that can't be overlooked.

My time on this one has been both a challenge and an honor. Next up ... state mental institution for Psych. I've been warned to be on the watch for patients in the dementia unit who like to "cop a feel". Then again, maybe the convicts deemed criminally insane will be easier. I think I may miss family practice *gulp* ...