The Table Hopper

Please Note: This article is intended for 1^st year medical students.
 

A simple but smart way to improve you performance in gross anatomy viva exam is to go table hopping.

In the gross anatomy dissection hall, usually students are divided in batches and allotted one particular dissection table. The students are expected to stay only at their allotted table and dissect and study the cadaver allotted to them.

The problem with this approach is that, student get so familiar with the cadaver allotted to them that different muscles, blood vessels, nerve, etc. get memorized to them by sight.

In exam, when asked questions on different cadaver specimen, the students gets confused.

It is like you can recognize your friends instantly, but get lost for words if you are asked to describe them accurately to a stranger.

So, the smart students go to different dissection tables and try to identify the structures there. This exercises their brains and teaches them the scientific method to identify the body structures. The students also get to see the different variations in normal anatomy, which will help in exams.

For example, in their dissection table, the student knows where the radial nerve is, but when he goes to a different table, he has start from step one, i.e. identify the posterior surface of the arm, identify the triceps muscle, look below it to find the nerve, which will be radial nerve.

They can also ask their fellow students at the different dissection table, to point out the important structures to them, so easily revising the anatomy.

And if someone comes to your dissection table and ask you to demonstrate the various anatomical structures, don’t take this as an intrusion in your territory. Make use of this occasion to demonstrate the various structures to your visiting fellow student as this provides an opportunity to practice for your own anatomy viva again improving your marks.

But beware, table hopping can be seen as sign of indiscipline by the teachers, which may be counter-productive in exam. In our time, Dr. M. L. Ajmani, used to particularly frown upon such table hopping. So, move and stay invisible like a ninja. 

(Based on true experience)

— ND

© Author. All rights reserved.

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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Education should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost and according to MCI and other Board’s norm. 
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The Donkey Resident

Dr. Tarun Kumar Chaturji (fictional name) was professor of Surgery at AIIMS, New Delhi. One of his favorite ways of expressing displeasure at the junior residents working in his unit was to call them donkey (ass). His way of saying donkey in his mother tongue, Bengali, in a long drawn out manner ‘Gadahaaa’ was quite famous.

Dr. Dev (fictional name) was junior resident in Dr. Tarun Kumar Chaturji’s unit. Needless to say he was one of the favourite residents at the receiving end of being called donkey.

Once, during a through academic ward round, Dr. Tarun Kumar Chaturji, was unsatisfied by the answers provided by the junior residents during the round. While sitting in the Unit’s duty room, after the round, sipping a cup of tea, Dr. Chaturji said to the junior residents, “You all are donkeys. I feel sorry for the patients whom you all are going to treat in future.”

On hearing this Dr. Dev said, “Sir, You call us donkeys as if it is a bad thing. But, Chanakya had said that the ideal student should be like a donkey.”

(Chanakya was an ancient Indian teacher, writer, philosopher, and statesman)

“How?” asked a surprised Dr. Chaturji, as donkey is supposed to be the epitome of foolishness.

“Chanakya has written that the ideal student should be able to work long hours tirelessly like a donkey. He should not be bothered by the harsh working conditions and be satisfied despite all hardships like a donkey (ass).”

Dr. Tarun Kumar Chaturji become speechless. After that he stopped calling anyone donkey for some time.

But old habits die hard.

After a few weeks had elapsed, when he got angry at some resident, he once again started calling them donkey but started adding,

“If I call you donkey, even the donkey will get insulted.”

And, also,

“You are a donkey, but definitely not Chanakya’s donkey.”

Some more donkeysim at https://agnipathdoctors.blogspot.com/search/label/Donkey

(Based on true incident)
— ND
© Author. All rights reserved. 

If viewing from Mobile, switch to Webpage view to see a list of popular posts and index of topics of previous posts.

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Education should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost and according to MCI and other Board’s norm. 

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The MUGA Scan appointment

A patient with an interesting surgical disease was admitted to a Surgery Unit III in AIIMS, New Delhi. On checkup for fitness for anesthesia, he was found to be suffering from heart disease. The cardiologist (heart doctor) reviewed the patient and advised MUGA scan to further evaluate the patient’s risk for surgery. 

In MUGA scan a small amount of radioactive material is injected in the patient’s vein. Using a special device (camera) the amount of radioactivity coming from the pooled blood in the patient’s heart is recorded. This gives an estimate of the blood pumping power of the heart.

The trouble with MUGA scan was that due to the over-burdened cardiology department of AIIMS, New Delhi, there was minimum waiting period of 10 to 15 days before this MUGA scan can be done.

The Surgery Department of AIIMS, New Delhi, was also over-burdened and it was not possible to keep the patient admitted in the ward for 10 to 15 days while waiting for the MUGA scan. The patient was from a distant place and it would have cost the patient a good amount of time and money for him to go back to his home and come back to AIIMS for the MUGA scan.

The head of unit, Prof. Tarun Kumar Chaturji (fictional name) also did not want to send the patient home, as it was a surgically challenging case. There was the possibility that the patient may not come back to AIIMS, or may get re-admitted in a different unit.

The senior resident of the unit asked to Dr. Dev (fictional name) solve this problem. Dr. Dev studied the problem and came up with a plan of action.

Professor (Dr.) Umesh Kaul (fictional name) was the acting HOD of the Department of Cardiology in AIIMS, New Delhi, at that time. Dr. Kaul was learned person, master of his field, with a busy schedule. Even high ranking officials and politicians had to take appointment to meet.

When Dr. Dev reached the Cardiology centre of AIIMS, New Delhi, instead of going to the MUGA scan lab, he made his way directly to Professor Kaul’s Office. Without stopping to talk and take permission from his receptionist, just barged straight in his office.

Dr. Kaul, who was having some meeting in his office looked at Dr. Dev with amazement and anger at his rude interruption. Perhaps, the adage ‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread’ (walk) must have crossed his mind.

Before he can be unceremoniously thrown out of Prof. Kaul’s office, Dr. Dev blurted, “Sir, I am a junior resident from surgery unit III and we have a patient who requires a MUGA scan on priority.”

Dr. Kaul looked at Dr. Dev with exasperation and barked at him, “Why have you come to disturb me for this?” “Go and talk to the reception at the MUGA lab.”

Bowing obsequiously, Dr. Dev replied, “I am extremely sorry to disturb you. I will go the MUGA lab as instructed by you” and hurried out of Dr. Kaul’s office, breaking out in smile as soon as he was out of the office.

When Dr. Dev reached the MUGA Scan lab, instead of going to the clerk giving appointment for the scan, he sauntered to the Lab in-charge and said, “I am coming from Dr. Kaul’s office. He has told me to get the MUGA scan done of this patient on priority.”

The in-charge was surprised that Dr. Kaul himself was instructing about some patient’s MUGA Scan.

He queried Dr. Dev, “Professor Kaul himself?”

“Yes”, replied Dr. Dev truthfully, “Professor Kaul personally instructed me to get the MUGA scan done.”

Still amazed the Lab in-charge asked, “Is the patient some relative of Dr. Kaul?”

Leaning toward the Lab in-charge, Dr. Dev lowered his voice as if he was afraid someone will over hear him and whispered conspiratorially, “I am also not sure, but I think he may be either some distant relative or close family friend.”

The in-charge looked at Dr. Dev helplessly, “It is already past noon and we have many patients waiting for the MUGA scan today. Will it be alright if we do the scan on this patient as first case coming morning?” he pleaded.

“Okay” answered Dr. Dev, “It had been better if the scan would have been today, but we will adjust even if done tomorrow.”

The MUGA scan was indeed done the next day; patient operated on soon after and went home hale and hearty.

(Based on true incident)
— ND
© Author. All rights reserved. 

If viewing from Mobile, switch to Webpage view to see a list of popular posts and index of topics of previous posts.

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

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