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Reflections of a PA Student

Finding Time for Community Service
November 9, 2009 2:09 PM by Timothy Loerke
Students in PA school encounter many opportunities to participate in community outreach events. Participation varies due to perceived or actual time constraints (see my previous post ). Last week I spoke with a medical student who is highly involved in Read More...
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Dealing With Conflict
October 26, 2009 3:41 PM by Timothy Loerke
PA school provides many opportunities for students to test their character and develop a sense of what it means to be a professional. Recently, I have observed how conflict can be a refining fire for us. There seem to be two general methods of dealing Read More...
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Evidence-Based Medicine: It Just Makes Sense
October 20, 2009 11:08 AM by Timothy Loerke
In clinical practice, we will work with health care professionals who confidently make a treatment decision based on their own experience. On the other hand, we will work with health care professionals who move forward with treatment on the basis of proven Read More...
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Always A Patient
October 12, 2009 3:38 PM by Timothy Loerke
What does it feel like to wait nearly an hour in a cold room with only a thin cloth separating your private parts from the outside world? More than likely, we have all had some uncomfortable incident where we were the patient. Now, the dominant perspective Read More...
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A Patient Is Not A Number
October 1, 2009 11:53 AM by Timothy Loerke
When PA students are exposed to the clinical environment, dilemmas are sure to arise, namely between how we imagine we'll practice as PAs and the reality of the clinical atmosphere. In the clinic, you are bound to encounter patients who provide information Read More...
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The Harsh Environment: Who’s To Blame?
September 8, 2009 9:01 AM by Timothy Loerke
Have you ever wondered why things are the way they are? One of my readers brought up a great point about reaping the benefits—or in her case, the detriments—from past students on rotations. Could it be that some negative opposition during rotations may Read More...
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Outside the Norm
September 1, 2009 8:43 AM by Timothy Loerke
Prior to clinical exposure, PA students become accustomed to the normalcy of the physical exam. We can identify the S1 heart sound, palpate the typical abdomen, visualize the tympanic membrane and even examine a healthy retina. Lectures provide systemic Read More...
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Working With Nurses
August 26, 2009 10:18 AM by Timothy Loerke
The hospital can be a hostile environment if you are not aware of whose house it really is. Right now, I am taking a class called Supervised Practice where we spend one day per week in a clinical setting. The other day I performed rounds in the hospital Read More...
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Gentle Communication: An Elusive Skill
August 24, 2009 10:59 AM by Timothy Loerke
Authentic patient interactions have a different feel from those in the practice room. The reality of verbal intimacy is precarious to say the least. Over the past couple of weeks, we have spent time in the clinic as sort of a pre-rotation, if you will. Read More...
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Mea Culpa: Following Our Own Advice
August 10, 2009 9:48 AM by Timothy Loerke
How many readers have sat in a class that made you feel a little uncomfortable? And I am not talking about OBGYN lectures. A couple of weeks ago, we had our first dermatology scolding. The physician emphasized strongly the importance of sunscreen and Read More...
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Dead End or Trap Door?
February 5, 2009 2:46 PM by Timothy Loerke
Things do not always turn out like they seem. That has been the theme so far this semester. I am not referring to my experience in school. I am talking about our preparation for the real world. This is not a shock to the physician assistant vets out there Read More...
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The Humble Learner
January 21, 2009 4:16 PM by Timothy Loerke
The second semester may be different for physician assistant programs across the nation. For the program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the next step in the curriculum is the introduction to applied science. I mentioned in the Read More...
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Short Cuts Hurt
November 12, 2008 11:27 AM by Timothy Loerke
During the first semester we learn about taking a thorough history and the exam skills necessary to formulate an assessment and plan. During the second semester we learn about the probable diagnoses. I have heard many stories of practioners skipping the Read More...
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