FPC Closure

For our "final" in FPC, we had an "Objective Structured Clinical Exam" (OSCE). It's one of those odd exams to test our patient interaction skills. There were three stations. In one, we conducted a focused exam on a patient with a particular finding. I had to do a cardiovascular exam, calculating jugular venous pressure, describing the character of a murmur, and checking for edema. At the second station, we interviewed and examined a standardized patient in pairs, then came up with leading diagnoses. Finally, as a whole FPC group, we worked through a paper case. I really like our group. This week we had our last FPC meeting at a cafe; it was really fun and we got our facilitators nice gifts.

Speaking of cases, I really enjoy them. In small groups for BMB, we've been getting pretty interesting patient scenarios and generating lists of possible etiologies as random and diverse as Lyme disease, psychosomatic disorders, neurosyphilis, multiple sclerosis, and bipolar disease. Then we order a certain number of tests to narrow down our differential. Finally, we decide how to treat the patient and, like "Choose Your Own Adventure," the different choices lead to different outcomes. It's fun.