I had never been very good at human interactions since i was a kid. When i started medical school i took many classes over human psychology and relationships with added language benefits and this is what happened.
Once, during practical exams of Gynae/Obs, I had 20 stations and there had been 3 minutes for every station. Some stations were like there had been simulated patients and teachers were sitting on that station assessing how we were interacting.
As I entered examination hall and went to my station no 1, things went like this. I got the answer sheet and I started writing my name and roll no. over that. I didn't even read the question.
Somehow i managed this station and went to next one with perplexed look. Next question was "Counsel and Describe to patient about Missed Pills". I am not ready for this one and that i said to myself in heart.
I knew at that very moment now it's gonna get rough. I will have to inquire about any unprotected sexual contact from her. In Indo-Pak subcontinent, relation is thought to be very personal matter of a couple and you can't ask directly due to social and ethical awkwardness because nobody wants to talk about his/her SEXUAL LIFE. I was searching my memory for most appropriate words for that and only 20 seconds were remaining for this station.
* I panicked and said in my heart: "Fuck it. I won't ask let me get fail in this one."
BUT FEAR OF GETTING FAILED WAS MUCH STRONGER. I closed my eyes and ............
And I really don't know what they had been calling me since that day "Dumb", "Foolish" or "Pervert" but one thing was for sure that this incident echoed in every ear of the college and i was like this time i had been screwed pretty bad.
I did an apparent mistake and want you guys to learn from it. Here are SOME TIPS for you and these are specially for MALE STUDENTS.
1- YOUR APPEARANCE MATTERS ... !!! ... If you take history from a lady and you are dressed up like a junky or a street guy with weird styles of beard, loose tie with no professional dress code. She will never open up. YOU SHOULD BE DRESSED LIKE A GENTLEMAN AND SHOULD LOOK LIKE ONE TOO.
2- POLITENESS IN WORDS ... !!! ... The way I asked her about her sexual life, the response had been much different, if i would have asked her like "Had you been intimate or had you been close to your husband during that 5 days". Trust me, they are mature ladies and they will understand what you want to inquire. USE WORDS THAT WILL LEAST POKE THEIR PRIVACY AND WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO GET INFORMATION.
3- FACIAL EXPRESSIONS ... !!! ... As a male student I think you should be very expressionless when you are addressing the patient in Gynae/Obs. In my opinion, patients feel more comfortable because it will make an impression of your being highly professional. PLAY VERY CAREFULLY WITH YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSION.
4- EYE CONTACT ... !!! ... This one point is very controversial. Some examiners judge you on eye contact during presentations. If you are taking history from the patient. When you are about to ask something very personal, LOWER YOUR GAZE AND PRETEND JOTTING IT DOWN ON PAPER. This trick has always worked for me in the absence of examiner. Patient does not feel awkward.
These will work for male students however female students can skip the last two and do exactly opposite. This will show your empathy towards the patient.
These are my observations and experiences. So, NO PROBLEM AT ALL if someone does not agree. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES SO THAT I MAY LEARN SOMETHING FROM THEM TO GET PASS.
Once, during practical exams of Gynae/Obs, I had 20 stations and there had been 3 minutes for every station. Some stations were like there had been simulated patients and teachers were sitting on that station assessing how we were interacting.
As I entered examination hall and went to my station no 1, things went like this. I got the answer sheet and I started writing my name and roll no. over that. I didn't even read the question.
Patient: Dr ... !!! ... Why you did my CHOTA OPERATION ?
Me: ... Mmmmm ... O_o ... Sorry ... ? ... Why did i do that? and I don't even have any idea what the heck is chota operation. ... Pakaaaa ... I didn't do anything to anyone. *INNOCENT FACE*
Ma'am: ... :O ... Student ... !!! ... You will have to councel her for episiotomy,
Me: ... Chota Operation = Episiotomy ... Ohhhkkkaaayyyy ... Somebody ! please KILL ME.
Somehow i managed this station and went to next one with perplexed look. Next question was "Counsel and Describe to patient about Missed Pills". I am not ready for this one and that i said to myself in heart.
Me: ... Lady ... If you missed the pill and blah blah blah ... *Confidently described the whole algorithm like a boss*
Patient: ... Doctor ... ! ... I missed the tablet on 5th day. :p
I knew at that very moment now it's gonna get rough. I will have to inquire about any unprotected sexual contact from her. In Indo-Pak subcontinent, relation is thought to be very personal matter of a couple and you can't ask directly due to social and ethical awkwardness because nobody wants to talk about his/her SEXUAL LIFE. I was searching my memory for most appropriate words for that and only 20 seconds were remaining for this station.
* I panicked and said in my heart: "Fuck it. I won't ask let me get fail in this one."
BUT FEAR OF GETTING FAILED WAS MUCH STRONGER. I closed my eyes and ............
Examiner: ... O_O ... * Constantly observing me *
Me: ... HAVE YOU HAD SEX ... ? -_-
Patient: ... :O ... :O ... :O ... o_O
Examiner: ... :@ :@ :@ ,,, *Clenched her fist in anger* ... 4 MARKS OUT OF 10 AND YOU ARE FAIL ... !!!
Me: £$%%&^%&*%(&)£%$"^$%^&%&(&*)£"$$%$£%^$&**
And I really don't know what they had been calling me since that day "Dumb", "Foolish" or "Pervert" but one thing was for sure that this incident echoed in every ear of the college and i was like this time i had been screwed pretty bad.
I did an apparent mistake and want you guys to learn from it. Here are SOME TIPS for you and these are specially for MALE STUDENTS.
1- YOUR APPEARANCE MATTERS ... !!! ... If you take history from a lady and you are dressed up like a junky or a street guy with weird styles of beard, loose tie with no professional dress code. She will never open up. YOU SHOULD BE DRESSED LIKE A GENTLEMAN AND SHOULD LOOK LIKE ONE TOO.
2- POLITENESS IN WORDS ... !!! ... The way I asked her about her sexual life, the response had been much different, if i would have asked her like "Had you been intimate or had you been close to your husband during that 5 days". Trust me, they are mature ladies and they will understand what you want to inquire. USE WORDS THAT WILL LEAST POKE THEIR PRIVACY AND WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO GET INFORMATION.
3- FACIAL EXPRESSIONS ... !!! ... As a male student I think you should be very expressionless when you are addressing the patient in Gynae/Obs. In my opinion, patients feel more comfortable because it will make an impression of your being highly professional. PLAY VERY CAREFULLY WITH YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSION.
4- EYE CONTACT ... !!! ... This one point is very controversial. Some examiners judge you on eye contact during presentations. If you are taking history from the patient. When you are about to ask something very personal, LOWER YOUR GAZE AND PRETEND JOTTING IT DOWN ON PAPER. This trick has always worked for me in the absence of examiner. Patient does not feel awkward.
These will work for male students however female students can skip the last two and do exactly opposite. This will show your empathy towards the patient.
LAST THING;
These are my observations and experiences. So, NO PROBLEM AT ALL if someone does not agree. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES SO THAT I MAY LEARN SOMETHING FROM THEM TO GET PASS.
NEVER FORGET TO RATE IT +d OR SHARE IT.
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