When seeing patient as a rotating student you will encounter many different teaching styles amongst the different teaching attendings and senior residents. The teaching styles will also vary depending on the demands of the Emergency Department. On days where the demands on your supervising physicians are light you will see more extensive teaching and education. On days where there is a high demand you will see a more focused educational experience. The focus is to provide you the best educational experience while maintaining the safety of the patients and the flow of the department.
Every shift you have offers slightly different challenges. We have done everything possible to afford you the best educational experience during your rotation. The recommended process to seeing new patients includes the following:
Review iBEX computer tracking system to locate patient who are waiting to be seen.
Discuss with your supervising physician if that patient is appropriate for you.
sign up for the patient in iBEX, either under your name or your supervising physician's name (see iBEX tutorial)
perform a focused H+P. Most history and physicals can be performed within a 20-30 minute period.
Before presenting the case to your supervising physician think through the following questions:
What do you think is wrong with this patient?
What are the key aspects of this case?
How did you come to that conclusion?
What else could be the cause of the patient's complaint?
What do you think is the most likely cause of the patient's complaint?
What diagnostic test are indicated in this case?
How should we proceed from here?
Why do you think the patient requires hospital admission?
What discharge instructions do we need to give this patient?
Discuss the patient's management and disposition with your supervising physician.
Perform frequent follow up and rechecks on your patients.
