Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Looking Back/Overall Insight)

My internship required all of the EMRAPers to present on a medical subject that they are interested in. Christina, Alina, and I presented on childbirth in different cultures and some ethical issues surrounding childbirth. Christina and I applied our knowledge from our Anthropology class to our presentation and shared it with the class.  We also looked at childbirth practices in SJMHS, related it to the topics that Christina and I learned in class, and shared it with everyone. It was very rewarding to discuss a topic that was relevant to our classes and also a big part of a human’s life. Moreover, the classes that I have taken at UofM required me to present on an array of subjects, and so I learned how to engage a crowd during presentations. I do this by asking questions to gauge the crowd’s knowledge of the subject, taking time to slow down, and putting in some jokes once in a while; I applied these skills during our presentation for EMRAP.

Moreover, UofM has equipped me with science classes that are applicable to the medical world. During my upper level bio classes (ie. Biochemistry, Physiology, etc.), we were presented some case studies in which we analyzed the molecular, chemical, physiological aspects of the cases. Whenever I see a trauma or encounter a patient, I would try to guess what factors may be causing the illness and ask medical staff to confirm. By doing this, I have learned to apply my knowledge from class to real life; it keeps me engaged at my internship, helps me review for my MCAT and classes, and allows me to talk to the medical staff. 

Regarding any encounters that surprised me, I believe that some of the patients that I have seen over these past few weeks had similar cases as those in the summer (ie, nausea, vomiting, infections, accidents, etc.).  Though, the one thing that did surprise me about myself was that I felt very emotional after seeing a trauma case. The medical team worked extremely hard to try to save a patient who had a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) on both lungs and other complications after crashing into a tree. I watched the team concentrate and form beads of sweat on their forehead as they inserted chest tubes, supplied blood, and called surgery for help. After all of this, they couldn't save the patient, and I had to take myself away from the scene for some time to process the situation. I found myself applying the situation to school: I would work extremely hard and study for hours only to not do well in a class. Yet, applying this scenario to distract myself did not help because I thought that trying so hard to save a life was so much more work. When I went back to the ER, I noticed the medical staff continued to work on other patients; they had to pick themselves back up and continue working. I have done this myself when I did not do too well in certain classes, and all I could do was regain myself and continue to work hard. I realize that this experience in college of failing and persevering is very applicable to my future line of work. You may not succeed every time, but you have to try your hardest. 

New opportunities such as going to the Huron Valley Ambulance Center has
changed my perspective of EMRAP. It's more fun and engaging!