Rotation Recap #5 - Family Medicine
I know I’ve fallen behind on these (I just started my 7th rotation!) but figured I would recap them anyway, so I’ll post my 6th rotation recap sometime next week.
Anyway, my family medicine rotation was about what I expected it to be. The practice was actually an internal medicine office, so unfortunately I didn’t get to see any pediatrics.
What I liked about FM: You get to see a little bit of everything and end up seeing patients of all ages. The days were pretty easy and typical, and I was never at the office too late.
What I didn’t like about FM: Many of the appointments were annual exams, which only really included keeping up with health maintenance and refilling medications. I also did not like that many times when patients had complaints, we had to refer them out for further evaluation, whether it be to a specialist, to get imaging, or labs.
Favorite things about my site: I was able to brush up some of my knowledge on medications, which I will admit is a weakness of mine, due to reviewing patient’s medication lists constantly. We had drug reps visit every day which also added to this education (and all the free lunches were a bonus, too :P).
Things I didn’t like about my site: Many of the patients at this location (a somewhat rural area compared to the rest of my rotations which have been urban/suburban) were against keeping up with health maintenance, such as colonoscopies, vaccinations, and lab work. Some even gave me a hard time suggesting against the suggestions I gave to eat healthier or stop smoking! The office I was at was also incredibly disorganized and messy which was kind of a turn-off, and my preceptor and the doctor working there seemed rather stoic.
Common things I saw: As this rotation was from February to March, I saw tons of bronchitis, strep throat, sinusitis, and colds. Acute issues I saw included headaches, back pain/strain and sciatica, rashes, and UTIs. Chronic conditions included DM, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, COPD/emphysema, asthma, allergic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, migraines, anxiety, and depression.
Uncommon things I saw: Rotator cuff tendinitis, heart failure exacerbations, tympanic membrane rupture, infected abscesses, and dog bites.
Common procedures: I did not end up performing many procedures here. However, I did get to perform a subacromial injection and assist with two I&Ds of minor abscesses.
Overall thoughts: This rotation was ok, but I do not think I would want a job in primary care. I did get to learn a lot about different medications, but I did not get to do many procedures. So many patient’s issues ended up being referred out, and many patients were there for simple maintenance visits. It was a calm practice and I can see why some people would like to go into primary care, but at this point in my life I find it a bit boring!
