Performing a Procedure Is Important, but the Preparation Is Much More Crucial
Earlier in my junior residence, I was really excited to do many things, especially performing a medical procedure ranging from drawing blood to performing a surgical technique. For a junior resident, performing an invasive procedure is always under the professor’s careful observation to prevent any unnecessary accident. But often, I found myself that I could not perform it smoothly (or at least as smooth as I expected). It was so frustrating.
Then one day, one of my seniors also watchfully observed me performing ascetic paracentesis (a procedure using a needle to drain extra fluid in the belly). The patient got better despite my clumsy performance, and I was not really happy about that (and I am sure that both of my senior and professor did not like that). After the procedure, my senior told me directly that it was not good performance at all and that the reason was simply:
“I overlooked the preparation. ”
That was such a light bulb moment for me. Yes, of course, no wonder thing did not go as planned because I did not make any plan or preparation. I was just ‘If I observe the procedure once, I think I can do it on my own next time.’ It was such a big mistake, especially in the medical field, where the patient’s life is on the line.
The medical procedure itself is of course important, but what is more crucial is the preparation. Actually, the procedure starts even before I hold the needle. It starts when I learn and understand how to do, why I need to do it, what tools are necessary, and especially the patient’s condition before and after the procedure.
Now that I think about it from the patient’s perspective, it would be horrifying to have someone inserting a needle on my body despite not studying well about it! What was I doing?!
Therefore, whenever there is a chance to perform a medical procedure or surgical technique on a patient, I ask myself ‘If I were the patient, would I want me in that current level of knowledge to perform it on my body?’ If the answer is no, I kick myself to study as much as possible beforehand.
Also,
“Hello that one senior, thanks for being honest to make me grow.”
Earlier in my junior residence, I was really excited to do many things, especially performing a medical procedure ranging from drawing blood to performing a surgical technique.