Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (CEO for a Day)

If I was in charge of running this organization, I would give more opportunities for professional development in class. For instance, majority of the EMRAPers are juniors that want to attend medical school. I would provide them with mentors who can teach them how to conquer the medical school application process; I would hire people who can help them with mock interviews (similar to how we did mock consents before being able to enroll patients in studies).

Also, if I was in charge, I would provide EMRAPers with certification classes for CPR/First AID and any other classes that they may need for jobs such as patient care technicians. I would also provide internships for them after they finish with their EMRAP internship so that they can continue to professionally develop.

Another aspect that I would change is to provide EMRAPers with more opportunities to get together outside of class. For instance, I would host a movie night/study night outside of classes and provide the EMRAPers with snacks and food. I would also provide EMRAPers with free food of their choice during their shifts; I would also give them several gifts such as EMRAP t-shirts, portfolios, pens, etc. I want to do this because I want the EMRAPers feel that they are appreciated for their work.

These are some things I would do if I was CEO for day, but for now, I think I will just stick to being a clinical research assistant.

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!

Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Changing Perspectives)

As we were walking into the Administration Building for class today, I said to Christina, “you know I always look forward to Fridays because it means I get to see all of you from EMRAP and just have an easy day.” My view of EMRAP and its benefits have completely changed. During the summer, I worked morning shifts that meant minimal cases of patients I could consent. There were times I felt that I wasn’t learning anything nor that I had a task to do. However, during this fall term, my shifts have changed to Friday and Saturday afternoons. I see more cases now, and I am able to practice my consenting abilities for my research job. There are more audits to do because there are more patients around in the Lean Track. Also, there have been more trauma cases to see during my shifts, which has helped me see more medical interventions. For instance, I watched the doctors insert chest tubes into a patient to save the patient’s life after a motor vehicle accident. It was very intense, but I was able to see the intensity and concentration that doctors applied during traumatic cases such as that one. My shift time change has given me a new perspective of EMRAP; I am learning more from the events that I encounter, and I am gaining more desire to be a doctor.

Also, EMRAP has brought in more speakers from the medical field, which has taught me about the different types of medicine. For instance, Dr. Gaf-Pap came in and talked to us about Environmental Medicine. I learned that you can do a fellowship right after medical school to specialize in something that you would like. Other doctors have also talked about their fellowships as well and what they did during those times; one doctor in particular loved skydiving, and so he skydived off a bridge in a city where his fellowship was taking place. Another doctor came to talk to us about radiology; I learned that this field requires tons of computer work and also allows for a person to have a family due to a set time schedule. The speakers have been amazing, and I now have more knowledge regarding the different parts of medicine.

Moroever, EMRAP has given me new friends that I know I can count on! Several of the EMRAPers have supported me during my events, and I also try to support them! They also made my birthday extremely enjoyable during our bowling outing on November 7. I love EMRAP, and I cannot believe that it halfway over! I hope to continue learning more!

Alina "whipping" my drink
(I came to support her pre-med club fundraiser)

Haitham came to my Adobo Night Fundraiser

Hiba and Alina came to my Philippine Culture Night!

Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Overcoming Obstacles)

As I have talked about before, I struggle with approaching doctors and being more social in the ER. As long as I do my job, I think that I am doing great things with my internship. However, there are times when there is no one to be consented for my clinical research, and this is a great time to socialize with medical staff. Yet, I am always so scared and shy because I feel that I would just be hampering their time. So, over the past few weeks, I have been trying to change that. During downtime, I walk around and ask doctors if I can shadow them. Some would decline politely, others would say yes but forget, and some say yes and take me everywhere. By shadowing doctors, I am able to be more confident with myself and am able to pass the time more quickly during slow days in the ER. At home, I would think of potential questions that I can ask the doctors when I shadow them, and this has been a great help for me. Also, when I am feeling shy, I use one of the audits to walk around and observe the medical staff; by doing so, I am able to make myself present and more visible. Being more visible is key because eventually someone says hi! I have met new nurses and doctors this way, and I am more comfortable to approach them now. I also would go into the break room and chat with whoever is on break; I learned that this is a great way to talk to people without being a burden on their work or their time. During the summer, I used my downtime to study for my MCAT, when I should have used it to network and shadow the medical personnel. Now, I am learning how to communicate with the medical personnel, and I hope that I continue to develop my confidence and networking skills. 

Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Getting to Know Your Colleagues/Mentor)

Over the summer, I became very close to Nimra, one of the contingent chiefs. She served as my mentor that guided me through certain requirements for my job. However, she left EMRAP to work in the ER as a patient care technician, and I am so happy for her. A patient care technician is someone who helps nurses with daily tasks, such as taking blood and taking care of the patient’s needs. I have asked her for advice regarding the technician job because I have been considering getting a similar position for my gap year. She told me that I needed to get CPR/First Aid certified in order to apply for the job. Thanks to her, now I will be taking a course during winter so that I can apply for a patient care technician job in the ER.

Hiba is the best!

During these past few weeks though, I have become extremely close with Hiba, the other contingent chief. She has shared her experiences with me regarding her MCAT, her applications to med school, and EMRAP in general. She is always around during my shift, and we get coffee and chat about her med school application process and also about life in general. She has given me advice regarding my re-taking of my MCAT and also about my job at EMAP. She is pushing me to be more social with the doctors and nurses because I always see her greeting so many staff that I do not know. I would love to be a contingent for EMRAP during my gap year, and she has been showing me how to do that. She has taught me how to be more confident during my consent processes. She also has taught me how to engage others, and she has pushed me to take on more tasks at EMRAP. For instance, I am doing an extra audit that only Jake and I are doing because Hiba advised me to “make the most of the internship.”  Moreover, she has been a great friend as well! We have watched Boy Meets World during downtime during my shifts, and we bond over food and coffee! She has been a great mentor, and I hope that she gets into medical school! I admire her humbleness, intelligence, and perseverance. She is often quiet, but that is because she thinks about what she wants to say before saying anything. She is so much fun to be around because she talks about social justice and she also talks about movies that I would really love to watch. Hiba also is willing to try new experiences, and I am glad to help her out regarding certain situations. Thank you Hiba!

Hiba and I coming up with fun names for the EMRAPers

Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Environment)

After coming back from a hiatus from EMRAP, I realized how much I missed being in class and being at work with my fellow EMRAPers. The environment does not seem to too different as similar faces are still around the Emergency Department. I feel as though the ER is more welcoming now because I am recognized by some nurses and doctors. I often chat with a nurse named Bill about life or about interesting cases in the ER that I’ve missed, and he always comes up with some witty answers. Though, one thing I do need to work on is to be more confident and to build a network in the ER; I still feel intimidated by doctors—maybe it’s their white coat or maybe the fact that they always look so busy.

As for diversity, it’s very interesting to note the demographics of the ER. At first, I always thought that there was a majority of white people in the department, but I have seen different races as well! They often celebrate each other and learn from each other by bringing food and sharing them with everyone. My favorite event was when some nurses brought in different snacks for their meeting so that they can experience each other’s food and learn some bit of culture. Also, the people in the ER are hilarious and are talented! The other day I witnessed some doctors singing in the break room, and when one couldn't sing, he just started to dance. It was very entertaining, and I realized that little moments like that are what keeps the long days very short for medical staff. 

In terms of surroundings, our classroom use to be in this one room where it was always cold. We always had to fix the temperature every time! However, there was a day when our room was occupied, and we needed to have class at a different room. This new room was more spacious and less cold, and maybe because of this change, we seemed to participate more in discussions and other activities. Also, because we have gotten to know each other for some time know, class seems to be more fun! People are more talkative and are willing to get together outside of class! People have intellectual discussions, which is a great way to learn and also broaden one’s horizons. I’m really glad to have this internship because it serves as a break from my classes!

Overcoming Obstacles

One difficult obstacle I had to overcome was the fast pace at which my coworkers and the paid employees of Fox Sports Radio work at. The language and technology aspect of the radio industry was definitely hard to grasp at first, and I had to learn and study the software programs at home before I could work at the speed that was normal. Learning the technology of the radio station was crucial to my success, and directly correlated to understanding the job and providing the talk show hosts with everything they need, information wise.