Playing Doctor

For our Behavioral Science course this semester, we are required to attend two labs approximately once a week where we meet with patients from the community. For the physical skills lab, we get into groups and practice how to perform a physical exam of the various body systems. Examples would be listening to lung sounds, taking blood pressure, etc. For the behavioral lab, we take turns performing a patient interview and getting a complete history. Our first experience of these labs was Monday. This seems very exciting and a necessary step in becoming doctor but here is the problem; no one has really taught us what to do! You basically show up at the lab rooms dressed up professionally with your fellow students and your cute little white coat and pretend to be a doctor. You walk into the room and there is the patient and your facilitator looks at you and says "go". Excuse me, what?! Go where?! Some of the groups didn't even have facilitators! I am beginning to realize why some people believe ROSS stands for Rely On Self Study. I got through it alright but it was a huge wake-up call. I may be getting through the basic science portion of my medical education just fine, but that didn't mean much when I was pushed into a room with a patient and expected to perform. I have a lot of work to do before next Monday! Oh well, at least I looked cute in my doctor coat.