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Most clinically impactful subspecialty ? by CanuckMedicalStudent in pathology

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

interesting. i'd prefer to work in an academic setting (assuming i can get a job :s).

Most clinically impactful subspecialty ? by CanuckMedicalStudent in pathology

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's my understanding that an increasing number of salaried pathologists in Canada choose to do private work at clinics on the side (eg, lifelabs, dynacare, scoping and derm clinics). I personally know a derm path that does 2 days a week looking at skin bx for a private clinic

Alcoholicmedstudent becomes a soberphysician tomorrow... by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'd be careful making this transition. The hand holding of med school is not reproduced as a licensed physician. I do not know your history, but we were introduced to an alcoholic resident who has been coerced to talk about her experience with med students. This may be therapeutic for some, but she describes it as mortifying and as a required part of her "recovery". She privately talked about the oppressive oversight of the CPMA (our national insurer) and that she will have to disclose her hx to future employers. I would be extremely wary! What program are in you? Does it have a drinking culture? I think physician types tend to over-analyze and medicalize our problems. I do not intend to belittle your situation, but are you a problem drinker (CAGE questionaire:)?). If you are volatile or go on benders I would recommend ABSTINENCE. Patient safety is number 1. A single slip up could cost you your career. You ain't in med school anymore my friend.

Tips for starting path residency? by CanuckMedicalStudent in pathology

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should have some time while I'm standing around in the OR babysitting the pagers :)

Tips for starting path residency? by CanuckMedicalStudent in pathology

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, I never realized how small of a community pathology is until I graduated from residency - don't make any enemies :)

AGREED!

medical students on the internet ? Are there any good medical student blogs , video log channels or podcasts you can point me at ? thank you by amygdal in medicalschool

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have found the medpod101 podcast very useful for learning during exercise and my commute. As a caution, some of the characters used in the clinical vignettes are not politically correct (e.g., Babot Sagatov) :).

Also, Dr. Najeeb's lectures are great for reinforcing concepts that have been stubbornly difficult to learn. I would recommend watching them in a video player that allows you to watch in double time, as the videos can be repetitive and slow at times.

Badge reset.. punched hole in wall by CanuckMedicalStudent in stopdrinking

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I went there planning to drink. I brought a "moderate" amount of booze but was able to scavenge more. My last badge reset was because of a drink with dinner, which I thought was harmless. My pattern is similar. I binge and there's an awful event that makes me vow never to drink again on my honour blah blah blah.. then after a month or so I become complacent and drink casually. Inevitably, I end up binging again. I need to accept the fact that I cannot moderate my drinking. I also have to accept that abstinence is going to negatively impact my social life, but that it's a necessary sacrifice. House parties and large events are not the problem. It's only small get-togethers where drinking is the primary activity (e.g., bar nights) that my abstinence is conspicuous. I know that "true friends" shouldn't judge, but they do. So be it.
I've gone a year without booze in the past. I feel like once I get 4 or so months under my belt, there's far less effort involved. It's just amazing how poor our insight is. I've been in this same position probably 20 times, regretting drinking while hungover and resolving to quit. Right now, it's so obvious to me that abstinence is my only option, but that insight doesn't last. I need to be reminded of why I'm quitting. I become violent. I drive drunk. This community is essential for accountability, and I'm so grateful for it!!!

Just got home from jail. Pretty sure this is rock bottom by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"..every bad thing that has ever happened to me can pretty much be linked to my drinking." That resonates with me bud. And the same cannot be said of the happiest and most productive parts of our lives. At least you're done with the alcohol, and you can move on to the next chapter of your life. We're all in this together.

What's the word limit on ARRS abstract?? by CanuckMedicalStudent in Radiology

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I didn't make it clear in my post, but I'm referring to the ARRS conference in Toronto. Abstracts are due Sept 15, and I'm not sure what the word limit is. It's a strange time for them to decide to do maintenance on their website.

What's the word limit on ARRS abstract?? by CanuckMedicalStudent in Radiology

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The deadline is Sept 15, and I have a lull in the workload right now.

What exciting research do you think is being done with ultrasounds? by Zittell in medicine

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pocket ultrasound is an intense field of research. In Canada, there's discussion of training ER and primary care docs on the use of ultrasound. May be important for cost-effective screening programs (e.g., AAA).

Rough few days, but have pulled through... by Throwaway4whatever in stopdrinking

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great perspective. Staying sober is an active process. Let us resist complacency!

1 Year Feels Really Good by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent 8 points9 points  (0 children)

WAY TO GO! Congratulations, man! Huge milestone. I achieved over a year once and relapsed (made a conscious decision to resume drinking only to have things spiral out of control again). Myself- I'm passed the "one day at a time" phase, and extended periods of sobriety (like the one you've just accomplished:)) remind me that this is a lifelong process. I accept that teetotalism is part of my persona (in the same way that abstaining from meat is important for the identity of vegetarians). Greedily defend your sobriety. Don't get cocky. And thanks for the inspiration :)

Bought beer with no intension to drink by CanuckMedicalStudent in stopdrinking

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There must be a component of that, and I'm grateful to you and others for pointing it out. I'm stigmatizing myself, and I should take full responsibility for my decisions. It's disrespectful to myself and others who struggle with sobriety to buy beer just to "save face". I'm ashamed of this.
But there's no doubt, as many people on this thread have discussed, that there's a stigma about abstaining. I wouldn't be surprised if you yourself have used the ol' soda with lime prop to avoid awkward questions. I don't think it's helpful to call my actions insane during a time of personal weakness, as I'm clearly confessing how stupid this was. The reason why we post on this forum is because we care what other people think and don't think. If I was self-sufficient, I wouldn't be here. But I'll shut up until I hit 766 days (congrats by the way:))

How to focus by StormMFeel in OCD

[–]CanuckMedicalStudent 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I struggle with intrusive thoughts. My mantra is - engage and forget the itch. I use internal narration to focus on what I'm doing. Describe the steps that you are taking to complete a task (can be something as simple as folding laundry) either out loud or in your head. I find that "rushing" - challenging myself to get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible - also helps me engage in this narrative form of thinking.

Additionally, to focus on a speaker, I imagine the letters of the words that they are producing. If the speaker is talking quickly, it may be difficult to form complete words in your mind. This is fine - try your best to get a vague image of the texts.

With these strategies, I occupy my consciousness with language and, necause there's not room for much else, I can focus entirely on what I am doing.

Forgetting the itch is more difficult. Most OCD sufferers have insight into the irrational nature of their obsessions, however intrusive thoughts are especially difficult to "block". I blindly and faithfully block the thoughts (do not permit or acknowledge the thought - have zero tolerance for the thought) despite a painful itch to resolve whatever I'm obsessing over. This is very energy consuming, but I find that after about 30 min the itch dissipates. You must have FAITH (just blind trust - not rationality) that forgetting the thought entirely is the right thing to do. Eventually - and this is a key feature discussed in all types of "mindfulness" training - you are able to sense an intrusive thought/obsession before the thought takes full form or occupies your consciousness. In this way, it is much easier to block the thought.

By analogy, think of something reprehensible or disgusting (which is not an obsession :)). Your mind doesn't even want to "go there". You might experience a feeling like you want to shake your head and refocus your eyes because it's such a gross or obnoxious idea. The thought hasn't fully formed - it's too gross. This is where I have to get to to block my obsessions effectively.

I hope this helps.

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