Hi! My name is Brittany Chan and I'm a third-year medical student in Texas. I studied business through the MD/MBA program and received my MBA in Spring 2011. Besides maintaining this website, I also blog at iMedicalApps.com and MedicineAndTechnology.com. You can read more about me here.
Hey readers! I'm moving my blog from Squarespace. Not sure where yet, but I'll keep you posted! I just unfortunately do not have enough time to blog here to justify the cost of using this platform although it is a really great tool. So I'm going to move to a free site, but don't worry, my posts aren't going anywhere, and I'm not done writing! :)
Wow, it's been more than three months since I've posted on here. Things have just been so crazy. Since my last post, I've been through my surgery rotation and almost all of my family medicine rotation. Only one left - pediatrics! I can't wait. I can't believe third year is almost over... it's gone by so fast.
I've been focusing more on the non-medicine aspects of my life lately.
As medical students, we learn countless facts about the human body, mechanisms of drugs, and physiologic pathways, in hopes that one day we will use this knowledge to help patients—perhaps provide a better understanding of their disease, ease their fears, or offer a cure.
Patients, especially now in the age of Google, come to their doctors with many questions about their various pathologies. Undoubtedly one of the most crucial skills for a budding physician to develop is the ability to anticipate and address patient concerns.
HealthTap University allows medical students to practice this, at their own convenience, online. Students even receive the guidance of established physicians.
I've now celebrated twenty-four Christmases in my life.
So far, this has been the best one.
Visited the family, stuffed myself with delicious Chinese food, and lost horribly at Dance Central and Just Dance (apparently my sister has videos. I pray that she doesn't post them on YouTube, or my entire professional career may be in jeopardy). Also, introduced fiance to the relatives. I think they liked him.
A great end to 2011, and time to welcome 2012! Happy new year! I can't believe school starts again in two days. Break is never long enough...
First year of med school. I bought an expensive quality stethoscope - the Littmann Cardiology III. The next day, with excitement, I pressed it to the chest of my very first live patient in the family medicine clinic.
I heard nothing. No breath sounds, no steady heartbeat. Silence.
My first thoughts? Not "I'm an inexperienced med student who doesn't know a diaphragm from a bell." First and foremost fear: MY STETHOSCOPE'S BROKEN.
All medical students look forward to thanksgiving break. It's a time we can relax, breathe, spend time with our family and friends, and stuff our faces with turkey. The true meaning of rest and digest.
This thanksgiving was especially memorable for me. It was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, a celebration of love, and a victory for my now-fiance and me. Despite me being a moody med student ball of stress for the past three years, and him working at an accounting firm hundreds of miles away, we had weathered the storms of a long distance relationship successfully.
I can't even recall how many times I've been asked this question throughout my life. It's funny that I still don't know. I had various answers throughout my childhood, and thinking back, I'm probably only a little closer to a decision...
This video cracks me up... it's a parody of Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO.
Story of my life....
Thank you, veterans, for serving your country and protecting the freedoms we all enjoy today.
As med students, we have the privilege of working at the local VA during several of our rotations. I also have several friends who have served or are currently in service. As a result, I have gotten to know many of you. The sacrifices you have made for this country are astounding, and often veterans are not given the profound respect and appreciation they deserve.
Today, let's remember and honor all who have served, past and present. You are true heroes.
Nothing prepared me for the experience of third year. Talking to doctors and upperclassmen, watching countless hours of Grey's Anatomy and House, nothing prepared me for how it would feel to examine a man dying of terminal cancer, hold the hand of a patient in pain, or deliver a newborn life.
Brittany Chan