Initial Entry

My second rotation in the neurosurgery ward. My initial thoughts are a bit apprehensive and nervous about this placement as it is a large hospital as well as the fact that neuro requires a lot of theoretical knowledge. I’m unsure as to my role as a 4th year in a neurosurgery setting. I have gathered from feedback that the caseload will be around 5 or 6 patients a day. However, I’m not sure about the level of independence we will have as neuro is quite a complex area and I would think there would be an adequate level of supervision. My major concerns about the placement will be identifying impairments and treatment strategies individual to the patient as I will need to be able to respond quickly to the patient particularly if there are any behavioural or cognitive issues involved. I also think that this placement will be quite confronting as I have not had much exposure to neurosurgery patients in particular. I think that I will have an extended time with patients as opposed to my last placement which was quite quick as there were numerous patients to be seen. I think that my assessment skills and treatment skills will be refined and challenged as each patient will react differently depending on the level of injury. I am hoping that this placement will be a good learning curve, interesting as well as challenging but at a manageable level for my capability as a student.