Reflection is an important tool in learning. Critical reflection which is a branch of “critical thinking” allows practitioners brood about their practice and belief, requiring them to step-back and scrutinize their reasoning by asking probing questions (Mezirow, 1990). The module applied clinical assessment and investigation in cardiology and stroke is one of the core courses for Msc cardiology and stroke. As part of its assessment, I will be reflecting on my experience during the clinical examination for this module. This reflective essay will x-ray this experience by critically evaluating my performance, analysing other ways I could …show more content…
I had made preparation towards this day by studying the materials available both in the teaching resources section on StudyNet and at the Learning resource centre. The day finally came and I was quite confident and relaxed. Arrived at the exam venue exactly 9.45am and found out that some group of students were having their examination that same day, so I went somewhere quiet to do a last minute revision. After some minutes, I came over to check the time allotted to me with the collage staff in charge of assigning students to patients for the examination. It was then it became obvious that I was the first student to start the clinical examination which will be at 11.20am. This made me tensed and nervous at first, but with time I became calm. Due to some logistic reasons, the commencement of the examination was delayed. It then kicked off at 12.10pm. I was ushered into the room where my patient for the clinical examination …show more content…
This symptom started suddenly, occurring mostly during exertion and relieved by resting. This symptom however worsened overtime and became distressing to her. I probed further and found out that she had cough (not productive of sputum), orthopnea, ankle swelling, weight gain, fatigue, problem with her sight, limitation of movement, joint pain, transient loss of consciousness in the past (lasting less than 2minutes). There were no fits, no history of weakness in her face or limbs, no fever, no wheezing, no difficulty swallowing, no abdominal pain. Her past medical history was significant as she had series of health conditions. Firstly, she suffered poliomyelitis from childhood and developed arthritis. She is not hypertensive, diabetic or asthmatic. She is a known valvular heart disease patient diagnosed 10 years ago, has glaucoma, peptic ulcer disease and a breast cancer survival. She has had several surgeries in the past including knee replacement and gall bladder removal. She also had cardiac valve replacements in 2006 and 2009 respectively, lumpectomy in 2010 and currently has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. She is on sotalol, frusemide, warfarin tablets as well as gaviscom suspension. Her allergies are to penicilline.Family history of disease is a major risk factor that is commonly linked to the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (Williams et al, 2001). My patient had a positive family history of