Ralph Dale S.

Dela Torre

Medicine III Section A

Reflection Paper on Fourth Rotation INTERNAL MEDICINE

Context

My fourth rotation this year in PDR was in Internal Medicine. It was

quite interesting this year because we were not able to meet face to face for
all of the sessions. In fact, classes were held only online and it was a different
experience. In this rotation, we were able to tackle common diseases for each
of the different organ systems and sometimes patients can present with more
than one problem. The following program outcomes were highlighted during
this rotation: PO # 1, which is about clinical competence, PO # 2,
communication, PO # 5, collaborating within professional teams, PO# 8,
adhering to ethical and professional and legal standards, PO # 9,
demonstrating nationalism and dedication to service and family and PO #10,
social accountability.

Experience

Among the four different rotations, it was in this rotation that was
confusing because there were just a lot of diseases we had to study and
patients do not present with only one problem. That is in line with PO #1, PO
#8, PO #9. This rotation was my fourth rotation this year and we were already
a little bit used to case presentations and we basically knew what to expect.
We were also told to obtain histories from our preceptors. My preceptor
helped me because before the day of getting the history, she had already told
me the chief complaint and I had the advantage of studying ahead. This is in
line with PO # 1 and PO #2. During the final exam, we were able to answer
three different cases. That is in line with PO #1, PO #2, PO #9 and PO #10.
Lastly, before the rotation ended, we were able to have our practical exam.
This is in line with PO #1, PO #2, PO #5, PO #8, and PO #9.

Reflection
 I feel that since IM is about the common diseases per organ system,
that in itself is in line with PO #1 and PO #2 since we have to be competent
enough to study all of those cases. It is also in line with PO # 9 because one
day, when we rotate already in the hospital, we will be able to lend our service
through our knowledge. In this rotation, we were also able to take history but
instead of taking history from our patients, we were able to take history from
the preceptors. This is in line with PO #1, PO #8, PO #9 because we need to
show competence to the patient in order to establish rapport, we also need to
adhere to legal standards by not asking any questions that are inappropriate.
Case presentations are in line with PO # 1 and PO # 2 because we were able
to study and prepare well for those. All of the program outcomes mentioned
are also highlighted during the practical exam because all of the activities
were incorporated and we were able to apply what we have learned for the
rotation.

Action

A plan of action I am willing and must do is to manage my time

properly. I noticed that this year, sometimes PDR can be more difficult than
Clinical Biomedical Sciences since in CBS, the cases are shorter and it is
enough to understand the important concepts. In PDR, however, it is better to
memorize and there are a lot of cases to study for each rotation, especially in
Internal Medicine. Therefore, it is important to learn how to manage time
effectively so that I will be able to balance both those subjects. My next plan
of action is to study more. I hear Internal Medicine is and will be one of the
most difficult rotations in fourth year and even in PGI and I feel like it is best if
I read and study when I have free time so that I will not get shocked when I
become a senior clerk and PGI in the future.

Evaluation

Overall, I think my performance was fair. My preceptor already told me

to prepare ahead of time for the history and interview and I was able to do
that. I was able to prepare for my case presentation diligently. During the final
exam, I was also able to interview the preceptor and pretended she was an
actual patient like in a real hospital setting. I was able to listen to the other
presenters presenting their cases. I was able to take note of the different
comments each preceptor had for my classmates and also of course my own
presentation. Overall, this rotation was also satisfactory because the
preceptors were very patient on us just like in the Pediatrics rotation. I feel like
I was able to learn more because I was not afraid to ask questions since the
preceptors for this rotation were a lot friendlier.