Hi, I'm starting my psychiatry rotation in 2 weeks which I'm pretty nervous about. Has anyone had a medical student sit in on a session either with CAMHS or adult services? How do you respond to them? I know that I'll be really empathetic (since lots of things will probably be quite familiar or hit close to home anyway) but I don't know if I'll be able to show that. Has anyone got any advice i.e. if you let medical students sit in how would you want them to act?
Thanks
Always seem to get things just that little bit wrong.
"don't wish, don't start, wishing only wounds the heart"
I've had plenty of medical students sit with me while I was in hospital. Many of them related to me on a "young" level, if that makes sense, like they talked to me about uni and such in between the actual sessions which was nice, say around the unit. They were very 'real' not, faking being a closed up professional.
Basically empathy is probably your best bet, I would say definitely show that. I found it helpful when they appeared to express empathy... otherwise I just feel very unconnected with them and like a bit of a freak (and cause we were the same age it was difficult for them to be doing rounds and me to be stuck in hospital).
Sorry this hasn't been very helpful. How do you usually act on rounds? I'd say go with that, and an extra slice of empathy.
If you have any more questions though, fire away.
xx
I have had a few times. It was ok, they didn't say much, just sat there really. Though one did bring me my umbrella that I left behind!
I guess the main thing is just to be aware of how your facial reactions might make someone feel. I tend to get very paranoid about people I don't know listening in, either that they'll think I'm stupid or various other unpleasant things.
They've just sat their and witnessed the appointment when they've been present in mine in the past. They might say the odd thing here and their or just agree with a facial expression but they aren't there to play an active part in the appointment as far as I've gathered.
Stop thinking about what I want, what he wants, what your parents want. What do you want?
I haven't had a med student sit in a psych session, though when i was in A&E a while back there was a student nurse there and i didn't see her face expression as i was looking away most of the time. But she seemed friendly, smiled, that was about it.
Thank you.
Yeah I always say no to having other students so I'm fine with that, especially since psych stuff is so personal.
I guess if I'm just sitting in I will also be pretty quiet and just observe but at other times (with inpatients especially) we will be expected to be more involved - like learning how to conduct a psychiatric interview etc.
I think one thing I'm a bit nervous about is oversharing when I'm empathising. I'll keep my arms covered and there's no reason anyone should find out about my SH, I just hope it doesn't make me look awkward.
Always seem to get things just that little bit wrong.
"don't wish, don't start, wishing only wounds the heart"
if you end up being in a group of med students listening to one patient talk.... look friendly. please. it really freaked me out when i was supposed to be talking to a group of students about what was going on with me, and about half were scribbling madly on note pads, and a couple kept making disapproving or shocked faces... i liked it when they asked questions though (well, reasonable ones) cause it showed that they were listening and trying to learn... and maybe say thank you on the way out.
i think you'd probably do pretty well already, since you know more about what it actually feels like. good luck.
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The magical part: They NEVER run out, so borrow some any time you want.
I've always just wanted them to treat me like a normal human being and not some crazy specimen they're observing. Just be understanding and relaxed and I'm sure you'll be fine :] Good luck!!
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
[Gandhi]
I've only had one sit in an apt once and it was horrible... but only cuz she fell asleep whilst I was talking... hmmm I didnt know I was THAT boring!!!
sometimes being strong means not holding back the tears but letting them fall
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I've had students in the hospital with me before. in the psych appointments they were usually just quiet, but the ones that did rounds were very nice. some the other day when i was in the hospital actually went to the same school as me (its a big school) and we talked about school! just be normal with them, try not to treat them any different than you would anyone else. i know i personally liked being asked questions cause it gave me a comfortable place to talk. so just be empathetic and act casual. you'll get some who might not like students but you'll find a lot of people who really want to talk and will appreciate you being there.
Stereotypes are the epitome of human laziness.
- me
Thank you guys so much! I'm so so nervous about it so it really helps to know what people react well to/expect.
Obviously psychiatrists ask a lot of personal questions as part of diagnosis and treatment, are you ok with being asked them by students too?
Always seem to get things just that little bit wrong.
"don't wish, don't start, wishing only wounds the heart"
I guess that , for me would depend on the mood i was in if i was , nervous maybe a little scared then no but if i was relaxed i wouldn't mind having questions asked by students though normally when am in A&E or seeing someong from CAMHS unless its my CPN am anything from relaxed.
I've never had a problem with students sitting in, people have to learn right?
I personally wouldn't mind if I was to be asked a question, as long as it was relevant and I hadn't answered it already (I had a student once who continually asked questions that Id already answered about 5 mins previously, made me wonder if she was listening at all.)
And I'd take my cues from the proffessional there, like there was a time that I was REALLY uncomfortable with eye contact, so they conducted my sessions whilst looking at the wall/painting etc. So maybe just be prepared for things like that.
And I don't mind them taking notes but its a good idea to ask first, just polite as far as I see it.
And I'd take my cues from the proffessional there, like there was a time that I was REALLY uncomfortable with eye contact, so they conducted my sessions whilst looking at the wall/painting etc. So maybe just be prepared for things like that.
I'm so glad i'm not the only one! I saw a psychologist at uni for the first time yesterday and i couldn't look at him, he said to me 'you don't make eye contact much do you... why?' he's the first person to ever ask me that.
I've only had one sit in an apt once and it was horrible... but only cuz she fell asleep whilst I was talking... hmmm I didnt know I was THAT boring!!!
OMG how rude!!! I hope I'll be at least courteous and generally nice!
I just found out I'm not spending 4 weeks with CAMHS as I might have been doing because the Dr in charge thinks it would probably be harder for me to cope with than 8 weeks of general adult psych. Kind of sucks since I want to do paediatrics eventually but I guess he is right.
I'm a bit nervous about seeing what it's like to be an in-patient as my old psych wanted me to do an IP programme which I refused to do and then for a long time regretted that decision and found it very hard to deal with. Any thoughts on what it is like to be IP and the attitudes patients have towards staff or vice versa?
I don't know if I'm making a fuss over nothing, I'm just so nervous about this rotation ad I just found out the lecture on SH and suicide is in the first week. Gonna feel so awkward.
Always seem to get things just that little bit wrong.
"don't wish, don't start, wishing only wounds the heart"
Over the years of seeing psych peoples, I've had a few sit in with the main person and me. Sometimes they didn't say anything but listened and sometimes they spoke to me as well as the main person. You can always say no to them being in with you as you feel uncomfortable.
when i was IP i saw a lot of psychs (i was only there a week and saw 4/5 different ones) so i would guess people are generally slightly less nervous/more used to psychs in IP. Saying that every time the psychs came on the ward we had at least one patient kick off because they weren't given leave or discharged so i guess maybe expect patients might be a bit more volatile?
One thing that pissed me off about seeing a psych IP is that they never really told you anything. like one time i didnt know id been taken off my sleeping tablets until it came to meds on the night and they didnt give me them. I'd seen the psych that day and i would have appreciated them saying something.
Oh also psychs on IP wards are sometimes expected to do some light medical stuff too, like i had an injury and they called a psych down to talk to me but also to examine me medically so maybe expect that? You might be asked to look at wounds or injuries and stuff, although as far as i'm aware in the time i was in i was the only one who got that.
