Ralph Dale S.

Dela Torre

Med III – Section A Group 5

Reflection Paper

Musculoskeletal System

Context

The module was all about illnesses involving the musculoskeletal system. This
module focused about how to diagnose a patient with types of disorders and how to
differentiate the specific illnesses. Each illness has its own treatment and I feel like this
is important so that we would be able to effectively cure and possibly prevent the
patients who are at risk have fatal complications. The following program outcomes were
utilized in this module: PO #1, developing clinical competence, PO #2, developing
effective communication, PO #6, utilizing a systems-based approach to healthcare, PO
#7, engaging in continuing personal and professional development, PO #8, adhering to
ethical, professional and legal standards, PO #9, demonstrating nationalism,
internationalism and dedication to service, and finally, PO #10 which is practicing the
principles of social accountability

Experience

This module was full of activities. I was afraid of this module because I heard
from my friends in fourth year that their exam on this was very difficult. Despite being in
the virtual world, I was impressed because the Cebu Doctors’ University team, which
consists of the faculty and staff did a good job of handling the situation well and
delivering a successful module for the students. We had our small group discussions
online which highlights PO # 1, and # 2. We also had different pre recorded lectures
which is in line with PO #6, #7, #9 and #10. These consist of lectures wherein the
lecturer had already recorded the video beforehand which allows the students to watch
at their own pace and repeat the videos as much as they want. Aside from the pre
recorded lectures, we also had a live lecture which is different because this time, live
lectures allow students to participate in the discussion. This highlights PO #2, #6, #7, #9
and #10.

Reflection
 I feel like the small group discussions we had in this module was very interesting
and I also felt like we each learned a lot. The module itself is confusing because the
differential diagnosis for the cases is quite similar in the way a patient presents him or
herself. The small group discussion is in line with PO # 1 and PO # 2 because we were
able to prepare and discuss thoroughly and that helped us practice clinical competence
and communcation. The pre recorded lectures certainly help us improve as students,
and there are just some things that you can learn better if they are discussed by a
professional rather than just reading. In the lectures, we were taught that dealing with
patients who have musculoskeletal disorders is difficult and we always have to adhere
to the legal standards and be careful not to discriminate them. This highlights PO #6,
#7, #9 and #10. The live lecture also helped because this time, we participated. It is
different from the pre recorded lectures because we were given the opportunity to ask
questions. This part of the lecture really helped because and highlights most of the
program outcomes since we were able to communicate well, we evolved as students
while listening to the lecture while learning new things and at the same time, we
dedicate ourselves to treating patients with diseases affecting the musculoskeletal
system.

Action

My first plan of action is to improve my skills in the small group discussion. Since
the musculoskeletal system had always been my weakness since I was in first year, it
would be better for me to focus on this module specifically so that I can improve as a
student. In the previous years in Medicine and during my time in Medical Technology,
anatomy has always been difficult for me so I had a hard to in contributing to opening of
small group discussions. So my first plan of action is to read ahead of time and try to
find the right sources for each case. My next plan of action is to improve on how to
identify the pertinent information or the information that could really help me distinguish
between the differential diagnoses. Honestly, I found this module very confusing
because the differentials for every case were quite similar to each other. The only way
to differentiate them is to find out which is the pertinent information and that is why my
next plan of action is to improve on that.

Evaluation

I think my efforts for this module was quite sufficient but honestly, I found the
exam quite difficult. I was expecting that this exam would be more difficult since I myself
have a weakness already in the anatomy portion of this module. I was also able to
prepare for the synthesis efficiently and I was able to contribute what I was able to study
for the synthesis. Honestly, I think this module was also good because I was not quite
interested with musculoskeletal module in the past. I guess I was not aware of the
alarming state our society is in, wherein a lot of people are having disorders affecting
the musculoskeletal system. I can say that this module made me realize how important
it is to know the disorders of the musculoskeletal system so that we can effectively treat
the patients.