Through thick and thin, my satchel has accompanied me through medical school. Initially, it strictly carried books and papers; now it is a repurposed bag for a clinical life.
I talked briefly about what I usually carry with me in my first clinical pearl post. In response to Wayfaring MD’s post, I thought I would share what I actually bring with me. These are my standard issue items, with room for switching or adding more items as needed:
Pocket evaluation forms: For clinical skills and procedures.
Pocket Medicine: A compact book for diagnostics, investigations and laboratory values.
Two clipboards: The first contains regular paper for note taking including pre-printed progress notes and other chart-related forms; the second contains preceptor documentations including more formal evaluation sheets, outcomes checklists as well as my weekly schedule.
The notepad: Where I write and gather my patient information and keep the to-do list for the patients I am responsible for.
Moleskin notebook: Where I keep rotation specific clinical pearls and other tips and tricks.
Two pens: Always keep a back up pen. Always.
Pen light: For the quick neurological screen.
Three packs of lubricating jelly: Need to do a digital rectal exam or a bimanual exam? Gloves are everywhere but these are not.
Access codes and contact list
Pager: How I wish this could not be standard issue.
Stethoscope: If I am not walking around with it around my neck, it goes back into the bag until its next calling.
Other items that I will sometimes include are rotation specific pocketbooks, headphones, and my phone charger to name a few.
To the medical readers, what do you carry with you? Tag your response with #what’s in your pocket.
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