After finishing the book...

The Final BLOG Question: After completing this book, do you think changes should be made in the way surgeons are trained? How important is it for surgeons to “practice” on real patients? Would you want to be operated on by the Intern, the Attending or the Chief Resident? Why? Why not? What challenges are faced by surgeons today?

After Chap. 20

Compare your “Fetal Pig Dissection Group” to the O.R. Team described by Nolen. How is the “team” concept beneficial to your learning? To the patient?

After reading thru Chap. 13

1.) Successful cardiac surgery relies not only on modern technological advances but the practiced skill of the surgeon. Cardiac surgeons often get this experience by working on animals. Dr. Nolen describes “the dog lab” at one hospital. What are your thoughts on using dogs (or other animals) for this type of training? What does Dr. Nolen think?

2.) Dr. Nolen describes the frustration of patients with tuberculosis whose disease takes a long time to respond to medication. TB patients can be quite contagious yet Dr. Nolen describes patients checking themselves out of the hospital. Do you think there should be regulations regarding the rights of people with infectious diseases to choose not to be in the hospital and/or not to choose to undergo a course of medication?

After reading through Chap. 10

1.) Describe the composition and function of blood (check your textbook). Why is monitoring blood and blood pressure so crucial to maintaining a patient's course of treatment?
(see Chap 8 MOAS)

2.) What type of information is gained from an autopsy? An autopsy involves cutting open the patient and removing and studying several organs. Would you give permission to have a deceased family member autopsied by the medical staff? Why? Why not? (see Chap 9 MOAS)

Free Response! (after Chap. 5 & 6)

What do you like about the book so far? What are your thoughts on the process of going from a freshly minted med school graduate to a full-fledged physician? You can address any aspect you wish - e.g. the book's medical/biological content, the personality or experiences of Dr. Nolen, whether you think you would enjoy working in a hospital, what has interested you most in the reading, etc.

After Reading Chapters 3 and 4

3.) Dr. Nolen describes treating wealthy patients differently than poor, indigent, alcoholic ones. This is a problem with our health care system. What do you think could remedy this situation so that all patients are treating fairly and equally?

4.) What is meant by the term “differential diagnosis?” What is the benefit/drawback of this term?

After Reading Chapters 1 and 2:

Respond via the BLOG (for periods 3/4) to the following:

1.) Would you have chosen a hospital similar to Bellevue or a “white-tower” hospital in the suburbs?

2.) Do you think Dr. Nolen should have asked the Attending Physician for more help during his first appendectomy operation? Why? Why not?