Built Up

Cardiology Clinic today was terrifying. I tried to do some reading beforehand, whatever I could think of, because I didn't want to seem totally unprepared. For some reason, when people ask me what is it about Cardiology that I want to learn, I blurt out, "Cardiac murmurs." Which is sort of a weird answer. One, because in adulthood murmurs are far from the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. And two, because I feel like I've learned them conceptually to death but just haven't applied it well to real life.

My attending today, Dr. G, was a fast-talking man three inches shorter than me. He thinks out loud as quickly as he speaks, but gets easily sidetracked in showing me interesting images or echos.

I introduced myself this afternoon, and he asked, "What do you want to learn today?" I blurted, "Valvular disease?" because I was trying hard to avoid saying "Cardiac murmurs." He said, "Hm, we don't see a lot of that, but we'll see if we can't find something more interesting." I admitted that Cardiology is one of my weak areas and that it was the reason I requested this service--so I could learn.

Dr. G had me see a few patients on my own this afternoon and provided feedback after each one about the symptoms that I had elicited, the medications that were pertinent, and how to approach the diagnoses. I was starting to feel more comfortable after that.

By the end of the day, Dr. G said to me, "And you said Cardiology was your weak spot? You are doing a great job. You must be stellar in everything else!" I shook my head and followed him to his next patient.