"Ask the Doctor" goes back to school...

This week took us back to one of our partner schools:Clara Barton Elementary. One of the residents and 3 MCW students assisted me in the kick-off of the ever popular "Ask the Doctor" program. We visited 8 classrooms of grades 3-5 and answered any question on the minds of the kids ranging from "Why did you want to be a doctor?" to "What is sickle cell trait?"

The first of our bi-monthly visits is "open topic" and starting next time. we have pre-determined topics like asthma, cancer, nutrition, or bullying....just to name a few. The doctors like the chance to transfer their information to appropriate levels for different age groups. The students shriek with delight when they see me with my "doctor friends" and we are usually greeted with tackles, hugs, and stories....stories that teach us what important things are on the minds of the average kid.

I can't help but think that all the contact with different residents from our clinic over the past 8 years has made a positive impact on how these students value their health...I do know it has made quite an impact on all of us!

All conditions are not created equal

Today, our visits took us to the home of a morbidly obese patient who has many mobility issues. When asked, she admitted the effects these difficulties have on her self esteem have led to daily anxiety and depression, often resulting in problems sleeping. After assessment of the home, we constructed an initial list of aids to improve the safety and usability of her surroundings (ie..walker, shower seat, raised toilet).

She also was very interested in seeking help from a therapist to regularly discuss the unique struggles she faces when out in public due to her obesity. This is a woman who wants to socialize like most everyone, but often ends up humiliated and isolated instead.

On our way back to the clinic we discussed the different perceptions that accompany various diagnoses in our society. Conditions like mental illness or morbid obesity often carry very negative stereotypes that can impair access to care unless we continually remind ourselves that most of our patients want the same thing: to feel better...

I thank this woman for reminding me to look at the person underneath the diagnosis.

The adventures of Nurse Jenny:)

Another busy community day "out and about." I'm fortunate to have another MCW M4 student doing a Community Medicine elective in September.

Shawn and I agreed that our home visit with a diabetic patient was the highlight of the day. Diabetic teaching is so much easier when the patient's food choices are within reach in their own kitchen. We were able to teach basic label reading skills using her own foods and having quite a few laughs in the process. "What, juice has sugar? I have apple jc, orange jc, cranberry jc and grape jc!!!"

Our rule about that: Pick the fruit and NOT the juice!"

We left with garden tomatoes, hugs and a lady that knows to look for "Total Carbohydrates" on her food labels!!