Namaste... boss?

After a weekend of rest and sleep, I started up at Student Health (=medical practice servicing all of the students at University) for my four-week GP run on Monday, and it has been AWESOME thus far. I cannot believe how much I've been enjoying my placement here, and, were I General Practice-inclined, could see myself never wanting to leave. :)

Top five reasons why this has been my favourite run of the year so far:

Reason #1
A "New" demographic. Never have I dealt with such a young population in my medical career. We get so used to the sick elderly or, even, just the elderly full stop. Young adults are a rarity in hospital, and in the GP runs I've done, so it's been exciting and challenging exercising that (previously much unused) part of my brain.

Reason #2
It has brought OSCEs/all that exam study I did last year ALIVE. So much of our exams last year was about sexual health, mental health, and the "worried well," but at the end of the day it all felt so... theoretical. You study and practice with classmates but hardly see any of it in real life; and you sit there wondering -- after a full day of study -- whether or not it'll even be of use. I never appreciated how important and relevant all of that truly is until now. So all of second semester last year wasn't just jumping through hoops! Wow, bonus!

Reason #3
I am my own little doctor, with my own little room, my very own little space, to do my own not-so-little thing. I've been working with two doctors, and loving how my days have been setup to run. I have my own list of patients, so I see my patient while the doctor I'm working with sees theirs, and then said doctor will come in, have a chat, and then sign off on my management plan. I'm really thinking through every patient and, now, have an increasing confidence to answer questions and discuss with the patient what we're gonna do. All the while thinking about is there something serious going on, is there something important I'm missing? Why has this patient come in, are they leaving satisfied? With each day I'm feeling more and more confident -- ready -- to start working as a bonafide doctor soon enough.

Reason #4
STEADY BUSY. All day, everyday. Just enough to not feel overwhelmed but with never a boring moment; constantly busy but with enough time to have a breather every once in a while. Like I've earned a hard day's wages and my right to come home to hit the hay.

Reason #5
Brilliant working environment. The staff and working environment is one of the best I've ever experienced. The two doctors I'm working with are AWESOME. They let me do my thing, but at the same time I'm learning so much from them with each patient I see. The workplace itself is HUGE and well set up and you can tell they have great management who keep things running as smoothly as possible, all while keeping everyone happy. It's such a relief to be around people who are happy to be at work, where there's not this "complaining culture" that can be all-pervasive in the public health sector. The nurses, the receptionists, the management, the counsellors, the doctors, EVERYONE is so lovely, so approachable. Plus, staff yoga Wednesday lunchtimes? Come on, that's just freakin' cool. It was a strangely awesome experience, seeing everyone in track pants and t-shirts stretching out, taking deep breaths in and out, taking a break, together. What an incredible equaliser. Truly ingenious.


In short, I'm loving it. What a great week it's been so far. I was so stressed most of January and February with trying to find a GP placement only to face rejection after rejection after rejection. And I remember just praying about it, trying to entrust it into God's hands... and I find myself in awe of His Faithfulness, yet again.