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Embarking on the voyage of medical education involves acquiring a multitude of skills, and among them, history taking stands as a pivotal aspect. This essay narrates my firsthand experiences and reflections on the enlightening process of learning and applying the art of history taking under the guidance of Dr Yambao and Dr Min Zaw Aung.
The initiation into the realm of history taking commenced with an engaging lecture by Dr Yambao.
This session laid the groundwork for understanding the essence of extracting comprehensive information from patients to decipher the nuances of their illnesses. While the lecture sparked initial interest, it was the subsequent Clinical Skill Learning (CSL) classes that brought the theoretical knowledge to life.
Under the insightful guidance of Dr Min Zaw Aung during CSL, I delved deeper into the intricacies of history taking. The modules covered various dimensions, including history taking on presenting illnesses, past medical events, surgical procedures, family background, social history, as well as specialized considerations for pediatric and women's health.
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These classes equipped me with essential skills and techniques, albeit the actual implementation proved to be a more challenging endeavor.
As CSL classes progressed, my understanding of the process and techniques involved in history taking improved. However, the transition from theory to practical application was not as seamless as anticipated. Dr Min Zaw Aung, recognizing the significance of hands-on experience, orchestrated practice sessions within our CSL group.
These sessions involved simulated cases, allowing us to hone our history-taking skills under the watchful eye of our facilitator.
The pinnacle of this learning phase occurred when I found myself at Kepala Batas Hospital, tasked with real-life history taking. Assigned to the women's ward, my team and I were confronted with the challenge of interacting with actual patients. The initial excitement of engaging with real people soon gave way to nervousness as the responsibility of obtaining accurate medical histories loomed large.
My assigned patient, a 43-year-old Malay woman with diabetes and a troublesome wound on her right toe, became the canvas for my practical application of history-taking skills. Despite initial trepidation, the patient's friendliness and cooperation eased the process. It became evident that effective history taking was not merely a checklist of questions but a nuanced interaction that required careful consideration of the patient's comfort and well-being.
Applying the skills imparted by Dr Min Zaw Aung, we ensured the patient's ease and comfort before delving into the history-taking process. Systematically, we explored various facets of her medical journey: the history of presenting illness, past medical and surgical events, medications, dietary habits, family background, and social history. During this process, the importance of phrasing questions thoughtfully, providing appropriate verbal and non-verbal cues, and distinguishing between closed and open-ended queries became evident.
Unraveling the patient's narrative revealed that she was a type 1 diabetic since the age of 31, inheriting the condition from both parents. Her right toe, afflicted with a slow-healing wound, had developed a bacterial infection exacerbated by her diabetes, resulting in fever. The diagnosis emerged as an infection on the right toe associated with fever, intricately linked to her diabetic condition.
Post-history taking, the crucial step of presenting the case to Dr Min Zaw Aung followed. Despite our best efforts, some mistakes surfaced during our presentation. Dr Min Zaw Aung, in his constructive guidance, not only rectified our errors but also provided additional insights into the case. This post-mortem of the history-taking encounter was invaluable in enhancing our understanding and refining our approach for future patient interactions.
As the curtains closed on this semester's CSL session, the wealth of experiences gathered during the classes and practical sessions reverberated in my consciousness. The exposure to the medical world, albeit in controlled settings, proved to be a crucial foundation for my future endeavors in the realm of medicine. These encounters with real patients underscored the importance of effective history taking as a cornerstone in the journey toward becoming a compassionate and proficient medical practitioner.
In conclusion, the journey from theoretical understanding to practical application in the realm of medical history taking has been both enlightening and challenging. Dr Yambao's introductory lecture set the stage, while Dr Min Zaw Aung's guidance and the hands-on experiences in CSL classes brought depth to the theoretical knowledge. The real-world application at Kepala Batas Hospital underscored the significance of empathy, effective communication, and meticulous questioning in the pursuit of comprehensive patient histories.
As I reflect on this chapter of my medical education, I recognize that history taking is not merely a clinical skill but a humane art that intertwines medical expertise with interpersonal finesse. Each patient encounter serves as a unique narrative, and unraveling these stories not only aids in diagnosis but forms the bedrock of compassionate healthcare. Armed with these lessons, I eagerly anticipate the continuation of my medical journey, where every history-taking opportunity becomes a stepping stone toward becoming a proficient and empathetic healer.
A Journey in Medical History Taking: Bridging Theory and Practice. (2016, Mar 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/reflective-writing-on-history-taking-essay
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