Exam Exam Hospital Rotation

When we last spoke I had just passed my cardiology block exam. Being now in the second semester of the third year our schedule shifts from the traditional style to one that lasts 4 to 5 weeks, followed by an exam in that course. In these blocks we learn everything there is to know about those specialties, the pharmacology, surgery, and pathology. We also revisit the anatomy and physiology of the organ system in focus. This current block had two topics: Principles of General Surgery and Gastrointestinal Disease. Last Monday I took the written exam for Principles of General Surgery and was unsuccessful in passing; however, due to the system of rejecting or retaking exams here in Italy, I will have another opportunity to retake the exam at the end of July.

Today I took the exam for Gastrointestinal Disease. This exam went considerably better then the last. I accepted a 26/30 and was very happy with my mark. This was a 30 question written exam with a mix of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions followed by an oral component. I felt that I left both this course and Cardiology with a basic understanding of the organ system related disease.

Starting tomorrow (yes, fast turn around), I will begin my first two-week clinical rotation. I am very excited. For this rotation we were given a list of specialties and were asked to select our top three choices. My top three were Cardiology, ENT and Internal Medicine. I am happy to say I received my first pick. This is one of the major perks to being in a small program. During the two weeks we are paired up with a current resident in Hospital San Raffeale. That means that whenever they move, we move. If they have overnight, we have overnight. If they have weekend, we have weekend. If they start at 7:25am, we start at 7:25am. Lucky for me my resident told me to come in at 9am the first day, but I don't think this will be a recurring situation. I am pretty sure I will be starting earlier the rest of the time. Either way I am very excited. I would come in at 7am if I had too. My resident told me he is in the TICCH, which my friends and I believe is the CICU (Cardio Intensive Care Unit). I am a bit nervous, mainly because I don't want to say something stupid (which I know I will, heheh), but also due to my lack of spoken Italian. I hope that my slowly progressing Italian will improve more being at the hospital, but we will see.

In the middle of the rotation next week is the Gelato Festival, so I am praying I will be able to go again. It is literally the highlight of my year. :D Well, I am off to prepare my bag for the morning.

Till We Meet Again,

~M~