basics for ug pediatric students
UG students are posted in pediatrics for a phase of few weeks, at times two weeks are lost due to exam over lap. so approximately four-six weeks remain to complete the basic pediatric curriculum. Two days a week OPD and one day a week is neonatology. So students come to ward only three days a week. this site is to cover primarily the teaching in wards,clinic rooms. neonatology and OPD based learning will be discussed separately. so in a month a maximum of 12 days are spent in pediatric wards,eight days in OPD and hence the rigid curriculum.
During the post, the students are expected to reach early to pediatric ward or OPD; as soon as the morning lecture is over. By approximately 10.20 am; please inform about the teaching faculty or medical officer about your roll call and see to it that it is charted on attendance sheet.
In ward, students are expected to behave as a responsible doctor and as a team member. its very crucial to avoid/or express looking irresponsible as many parents/patients are in various stages of emotional trauma and may not like you joking chitchating and celebrating.
Communication with health professionals and patient-parent duo is key for learning pediatrics. An humble, benevolent and kind rapport with patient-parent will help you open up communication for learning.
Patient privacy and confidentiality is as important as safety and health measures; accordingly take adequate precautions not to share personal details of patients to any one else/social media without "properly written structured consent and assent type written permission.
Each student needs to learn the history TAKING skill and structure based on symptomatically and ODP complex; and each student needs to practice the same for oral presentation to the faculty as a preparatory measure for exam.
Each student needs to write at least ten structured and detailed histories of different pediatric cases seen in ward; in a long exercise book as a part of curriculum. Please get the case stories signed by seniors before your posting in pediatrics is over.
IMCI and FIMNCI being national programs; are compulsorily present in pediatric theory and practical exams. The more you know is the better for understanding approach and management. please ask for charts booklets to be xeroxed for each one.
For learning hands on clinical methods of pediatrics; a book by M L Kulkarni is thoroughly written and widely recommended.
for understanding of pediatric health and diseases, a book by OP Ghai is widely used by UG students and may suffice for MBBS exams as far as theory is considered.
A short term WhatsApp group for clinical questions and answers or discussions is always a welcome.
Adults and children differ in various contexts and thats why history taking examination communication diagnosis diseases and prognosis do differ. click for history taking tips.