Today had another subtly new experience for me. I was asked by the doctors to call the former residence of one of our patients and try to get their perspective on the patient's deteriorating mental status. This was odd because most of the things I've done with patients are redundant; I sit there and ask questions, but the doctor usually is right there next to me and has access to the patient at any time if I forget something. This time I was the only witness and was being trusted to communicate effectively to another health professional.
I'm generally pretty confident in my ability to communicate. Me speak good. But now that an actual patient's care relies on my ability to talk gooder, I had to pause to sort out my nerves before dialling the other facility. Then when I finally made the call, I realized this was the first time I introduced myself over the phone in a medical context. Over the years of being a clerk and volunteer I have heard hundreds of doctors and nurses make the mystical call to each other. It always seemed like a secret club. "Hi this is Dr. Youcantrustme, I'm looking for Dr. Doesntreturnpages regarding his patient. Also the eagle has landed and the monkey is on the branch..."
Well, today I was part of the club. "Hi, my name is Christopher. I am a medical student under Dr. Soandso at the VA and I'm looking to talk with the caregiver for Mr. Crazierthanweexpected."
"Ok, well let me grab his chart for you..." said the nurse on the other end of the line.
"Also the eagle has landed and the monkey is on the branch..."
TIL: Prazosin, a drug we learned predominantly in the context of lowering blood pressure, can also be used to treat PTSD.
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