It’s already July, not just July, but half way through July! Summer flies by when you are in clinic 5 days a week. I’m in my first rotation of 4th year in Kansas City and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. I knew I wanted to explore pediatrics more and Children’s Mercy Hospital has definitely been a great fit. I’m seeing a lot of disease and getting to follow youngsters through months of treatment. Two weeks ago I got to help diagnose a congenital cataract in an infant, see the surgical consult the next day, watch surgery 4 days later, be present at the post-op the day after surgery when medication was started, and this week saw the contact lens fit and amblyopia patching started. I’ve still got another month to see the vision development in that eye and to monitor the contact lens fit!
That is probably my favorite part of being in clinic everyday, you get to see your patients again and again. I’ve only been here for 2 months, but I really feel like I know some of the patients and their families. I’ve also become much more familiar with amblyopia and patching/atropine therapy. We had a class at school, but it didn’t really stick until I saw patient after patient with varying forms of amblyopia and saw the progress they made after patching or just by wearing appropriate spectacle correction.
Being part of a large hospital has so many advantages as well. All of the records from other clinics are on file and referrals can be made easily. It’s also super convenient to be working with a group of other ODs and MDs. Questions about difficult patients can be bounced back and forth between doctors and consults can be made with ease. The results from MRIs and other imaging are pulled up quickly on the electronic records and letters between clinics are all on file to review.
Summer in Kansas City has been great fun as well. Last week was the 4th of July and a day full of pool, BBQ and fireworks. Also drove four hours to St. Louis to watch Cardinals baseball and meet up with friends. 4th year is definitely a busy time in clinic, but without the stress of classwork, there is definitely some free time to explore and enjoy your new location. It was a great 4th of July and has been a great 4th year.