Sports Physcial

Not only is school starting in a matter of days for Touro University students, but high school students too are getting ready for the coming year. In conjunction with a local sports medicine clinic a few of my classmates and I teamed up to provide pre-participation exams for students trying out for various high school sports.

First Patient

Although our cadavers may have been our "first patients" as medical students, they were not breathing. So my first patient would have to be among the students I examined this last week. Each of the medical students were assigned an exam room where we obtained vital signs, medical histories, and performed sports physical exams.

After talking with some of my colleagues, I don't know who was more nervous, the medical students or the highschoolers. During first year, we were never instructed how to perform genitourinary exams. Given this responsibility among other tasks, we were expected to be professional and lead the exams in a timely manner. Looking back on it, it really wasn't so difficult. I assume at this point in my education, there are going to be a lot of firsts. Fortunately, this one was a positive experience.

I can tell there is a lot to be learned as the flow seemed a little choppy. In all, it was great exposure to the physical exam, younger patients, and my weaknesses as a learning student. It gives me something to work towards the next time around.