The Capstone Project begins...

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2014

It has been a while since my last post. The holidays has come and gone. Although I wish I could say that I got a lot done over the break, what I can admit is that I had some time to relax and spend time with my friends and family.

CAPSTONE

The one thing that our class had to get started on before the holiday break was our capstone project. The capstone project in our program is similar to a “mini thesis”. We decide on a research topic. We are paired up with a mentor who advises us how to approach our topic of interest. We then have to submit a scientific paper (5000 to 7500 words) and give a 15 min presentation. The main goal of the capstone project is to increase and demonstrate knowledge in qualitative and quantitative research concepts and methodologies. 

Our first draft of our paper is due at the beginning of March :S

I am currently doing my capstone project about emergency physician assistants. I am interviewing physician assistants who are working in emergency medicine that have graduated from either U of M or Canadian Forces to learn their current practices. We will use the information to adapt our courses/program to further prepare graduates to work in emergency medicine. So far this has been a fun and exciting project. Learning from past graduates gives me insight on what to look forward to after graduation. 

ACADEMIC DAYS

First day back from the break we gave presentations to the first years about our clinical experiences. I look back to what I wrote on my blog posting in Jan 2013 when the 2^nd years gave us the same presentations and I didn’t know anything about what they talked about. I couldn’t get a good read on what the 1^st years thought about our presentations this year. I tried to make mine simple knowing how I was in their shoes just a year ago. I also realzed how much I have learned since then.

Second day back we had clinical skills formative examinations with the 1^st year PA students acting as our patients. This turned out to be a very fun experience. It was easier and quicker than our last clinical exam last year before clinical rotations. Again this gave some piece of mind that we have learned some things :P

Lastly the day before heading back to our rotations we had an orientation to anesthesia. This was a great overview on what to expect during the rotation. We learned what drugs they commonly use and had some practice on IVs and intubation.

NOV 27, CANADIAN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT DAY

This was a late post but I thought I would blub on it. The first year PA students had a blast this year going out to different high schools in Winnipeg. The first year PA class gave presentations to the students about the physician assistant profession as well as gave them opportunity to try some hands on stuff ie. play with stethoscopes and other equipment. Unfortunately I was unable to join them and therefore don’t have pictures.

The University of Manitoba also held a small event with lots of yummy food and to honour Dr. Bellas. Dr. Bellas is responsible for our adult medicine course and our internal medicine rotation. He has been an excellent guide for us at the U of M PA program, teaching medicine as well as life’s lessons.  

Anyone recognize the people on the poster? :P That's right it's Ryan and Ritika

I like candid photos. Here are the students sitting and eating while the staff stands in the background :)

Dealing with “Failure”

As one would say, according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of failure is

1.  Omission of occurrence or performance; specifically:  a failing to perform a duty or expected action

2.  Lack of success

This is the last topic I have to write about this week. I wanted to talk about how to deal with failure. I have to admit I have failed a few things over my time in the PA program. Of course my reaction when I first heard that I failed was devastating. Looking back now the hardest part of hearing that you failed something is putting yourself back together. I wanted to talk about how it feels like to fail and to leave the discussion open so if anyone “fails” something either a class or rotation know that you’re not the first one and that it is not the end of the world. 

How to deal with failure

Of course I googled this when I first found out that I didn’t do well on my rotation. Here is a link from wiki how that helped me move past the initial mopey phase.

Wikihow - How to Overcome Failure   

To summarize the website according to wikihow the 12 steps to overcoming failure are

1. Expect mistakes

2. Remind yourself that you are good enough

3. Remain calm

4. Forget about how other people view you

5. Shift out of your head space – all the negativity is in your head

6. Stop worry, start laughing

7. Review what your failure has taught you

8. Stay in the present

9. Allow yourself to fail on purpose – meaning try something that you’re not good at or something new

10. Focus on trying again

11. Grow

12. Ditch boredom and live large – failure is the flipside of success and without it there could be no joy in pushing through the odds, to know what success truly feels like with achieved.  

Another video that helped me is this compilation of speakers yes it’s American :P

Advice to grads on dealing with failure  

Here is another good blog that talks about failure and accepting it as part of life.
A physician assistants guide to becoming an epic failure

How to succeed in a rotation

 - Meet with your preceptor at the beginning of the rotation to determine what the expectations are for you.

- Understand your role as a student and the tasks that you need to do

- Ask for help early when you feel like you’re struggling

When I first thought about writing this topic I was embarrassed and debated on whether I should. It is hard to proclaim to the world that you have failed something but I think if I am able to help others go through it then it is worth sharing. Yes I have more work ahead of me but now the plan is to kick butt on my next rotation.