I just had the last communication workshop this afternoon. It's roleplay time yuhuuu. Roleplaying is fun, but not when you know you're going to be tested on your skills. I'm doomed.
It's quite hard to fish out all the information from the patient if your technique of asking is not good. We do have the WWHAM model, though. (Who is it for, What symptoms do you have, How long has the symptoms been present, Actions already taken, Medications taken) But that alone isn't enough.
The first workshop focused more on gathering information. Last time the (fake) patient asked me to recommend something for a bad knee. Everything (information gathering) went pretty well except for the fact that I did not ask whether he's taking any over the counter medicines/supplements. Today I had a patient who asked my advice on something to take for travel sickness. It's the complete set of practice today so I was nervous and messed up a bit. I stuttered while explaining the information on the PIL (Patient Information Leaflet). I forgot to tell her to take the tablets with food because it may cause stomach discomfort. Aah. I hate it when Captain Nervs took over.
All in all, I have to be calm, friendly and helpful, approachable and the most important bit is that I have to maintain my professionalism throughout the course. I have to be organised as well, or else I'll miss out the crucial information that I should know. Yeah, talk is cheap.
OSCA's coming up March 22 and guess what? It's 5% of the overall module mark. I might be able to put some of these skills into test during my second placement in the pharmacy next week. I need to practise more and build my confidence. Yeah. BE MY PATIENT!
(Socially awkward no more.)
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On a side note, a text came in from a senior today, asking me to be SUL for CEG. You hate abbreviations? High five.
Anyone who knows me won't associate me with these two words; sport and leader. I mean, no way. If those two were the Earth, then I must be an alien from Mars.
Sports? I don't do sports. I run away when the ball is coming towards me. I avoid shuttlecocks, sometimes. I hate jogging. If you consider jogging as some kind of sport, that is.
Leader? Nah, more like a follower. Unless when I'm in my own territory. Like home. Yeah, I have three little brothers, remember? And loads of kittens.
One thing to note here, I haven't learnt properly how to say no.
Looks like someone's going to take a
