Honestly, I am having the best time ever. I have a feeling, this is going to be the best year ever since I have been at Cornell. I have finished my 3 month medicine clerkship and now I am doing my 3 month surgery clerkship. And I just love it, even though we have to work longer hours!
It is a great change from daily lectures and weekly exams. The interaction with patients, learning to examine patients, reaching a differential diagnosis, ordering investigations and being able to scrub into your patient's operation really makes you feel like your hard work is important and does pay off! It's a great reminder and daily motivation to keep studying to become a great physician in the future.
My experience is probably similar to all of my class with a little bit of a twist. I don't think its a common sight to see a 3'7" doctor-in-training, especially in a Gulf country. Hence, people have all sorts of reactions. I have never really seen so many different facial expressions in my life and people turn around to look back at me, when I walk in the corridor of the hospital. I am used to people staring at me, clearly pointing me out to their friend or family, and making comments. But I have never had to face so many different expressions in one day. Over the years, I have learned to ignore and in the last three months I think I dont even notice it anymore since I have gotten "immune" to it.
The most common question I get asked is the obvious "are you a doctor?" In my head at 7am in the morning, I'm thinking "duh, why would I be in a white coat with a stethescope and badge-I dont think its Halloween season! and I dont think I look like a little kid playing dress-up!" I just politely answer I am a medical student.
Several times, I have had people approach me to take my picture. I politely refuse. I am always alarmed when someone suddenly approaches me with their phone and is like can I take a picture of you. With the era of all cell phones having cameras these days, I think someone could take a picture without even me noticing. But if you asked me, I have the right to refuse and escape quickly, hide between people in my team during morning rounds. I once had a lady quickly walk behind me after I refused and I made an quick escape. I believe she got by back, since I heard the click made by nokia phones.
"I wonder how would someone take it, if I asked a random person in the hallway to take a picture of them." -- I believe they would think I am a spy or a crazy person.
But one thing is for sure, patients have shown no hesitance to having me examine them and follow-up with them. Sometimes, patients will offer to move towards the edge of the bed, they will sit down on the chair instead of on the bed so I can examine them properly. While persuing medical school I had a slight fear about me getting around the hospital and interacting with patients. However, I also knew I would be alright, since my height has never been an issue and has never stopped me. And I guess I was right.
Also, patient's care about being treated properly and being respected, hence they do not care what their doctor looks like and who he or she is if they can have their health back.
