“Learn for the sake of knowledge and understanding, rather than for the sake of impressing people or taking a test,” was a powerful quote from Dr Benjamin Carson that I take to heart. I came across this excerpt in 2012, nevertheless the passion for in-depth learning has been the motivating force for me in studying medicine since I began my journey a medical student in 2003.
During those years of study, I found physiology and pathophysiology fascinates me the most among other subjects in medicine. I strongly believe those two subjects are the cornerstone of medicine. Physiology gives you an understanding of how organs function and how they meticulously maintain homeostasis. In the other hand, pathophysiology elaborates about the mechanism of …show more content…
The wide range of diseases, endless possibilities of how the same disease may present and run a different course in different patient – keeps my mind enticed. Back in medical school years the peculiar cases interest me better than the classic ones. I remember a case presented by a classmate, of a young man who was admitted with nephrotic syndrome. Instead of having hypercoaguable state he was reported to bleed massively from epistaxis and hematoschezia. His hemoglobin level went from 10 mg/dL to 6 mg/dL in 1 episode. He was transfused with PRC to Hb of 8 mg/dL and the bleeding stopped. The presentation rose a discussion of several issues. However, there was no mention as to why he bled. During Q&A session, I politely suggested to list his bleeding as a new problem that needs to be worked up despite the fact that the bleeding had stopped. I recall the attending interrupted me from asking my second question. Instead of a reprimand, he commended my inquisitiveness and good clinical judgment. So, we discussed the case, and it turned out that the patient had a history of deep vein thrombosis and was put on heparin by the resident. The dose was then adjusted, FFP was given and there was no recurrences. The attending added later on that I should consider going for IM. His encouragement solidified my interest in
During those years of study, I found physiology and pathophysiology fascinates me the most among other subjects in medicine. I strongly believe those two subjects are the cornerstone of medicine. Physiology gives you an understanding of how organs function and how they meticulously maintain homeostasis. In the other hand, pathophysiology elaborates about the mechanism of …show more content…
The wide range of diseases, endless possibilities of how the same disease may present and run a different course in different patient – keeps my mind enticed. Back in medical school years the peculiar cases interest me better than the classic ones. I remember a case presented by a classmate, of a young man who was admitted with nephrotic syndrome. Instead of having hypercoaguable state he was reported to bleed massively from epistaxis and hematoschezia. His hemoglobin level went from 10 mg/dL to 6 mg/dL in 1 episode. He was transfused with PRC to Hb of 8 mg/dL and the bleeding stopped. The presentation rose a discussion of several issues. However, there was no mention as to why he bled. During Q&A session, I politely suggested to list his bleeding as a new problem that needs to be worked up despite the fact that the bleeding had stopped. I recall the attending interrupted me from asking my second question. Instead of a reprimand, he commended my inquisitiveness and good clinical judgment. So, we discussed the case, and it turned out that the patient had a history of deep vein thrombosis and was put on heparin by the resident. The dose was then adjusted, FFP was given and there was no recurrences. The attending added later on that I should consider going for IM. His encouragement solidified my interest in