Case Study Day

Good Morning!

Today is Wednesday and that means it's Case Study Day for us third years.

Let me start first by explaining what a case study is here at PCOM. Almost every week throughout both our second and third years we meet with our advisee groups (groups of students who share the same adviser) and are given a patient case to review. We then, as a group, form a care plan for that patient.

In second year, when the cases are first presented they are fairly simple. The patient may only have one or two things that need to be corrected. This all changes as the year progresses and by the time third year has begun the cases can be very complicated with many things to consider.

During a case study we are first tasked to identify the patient's problems. That involves reviewing labs, past medical conditions and current complaints. We then must come up with a plan to treat the patient. The plan will include medications (with doses and scheduling), monitoring (labs and adverse effects) and goals for the patient. It seems like a lot of work but its actually a lot of fun.

Here is my group focused and working hard:

And again, having a little bit of fun this time:

Katie