Today has been a long time coming. In several ways, actually. The first and biggest way is that today marks one month until I leave Dominica to finish my schooling in the States. However, there are other small victories that occurred yesterday that should be mentioned, too. For the first time, Becky and I had a package come to campus, i.e. we didn't have to arrange for customs, etc clearance in Roseau, one hour away. It's a small victory for customer service, but one we've been lacking for months. Also, I got news that the site I want to do my clinical rotations at, Greeley, CO, now has surgery, and all of the electives that I need. So, I can do all of my cores, and all of my electives at the same site--provided they accept me. That is also quite a weight off of my mind.
Otherwise, interesting things have been happening in my classes. Fourth semesters have a class called ICM, Introduction to Clinical Medicine. In this class, we have a set of practical exams that must be passed. I don't think they're exactly the toughest thing in the world, when I see what we're to do. Yet, every group of fourth semester students has been paralyzed by fear of these practicals, and I didn't understand why.
Well, now I do. It's a matter of presentation from our instructors and proctors. You see, every ICM lecture or lab we have had this semester, we get bludgeoned over the head about our practical. The practical is worth 20% of our final grade, so it's significant, but not overly. However, the presentation of the material is such that we are led to believe that if a student does something slightly out of turn, or isn't exactly speedy (we have a 6 minute time limit) the student will FAIL. Even beyond that, some of the things they bludgeon us about are worthy of ridicule, to be kind. We are instructed to never approach, or examine the patient from the left side. We are also instructed to never examine the patient with our left hand.
Now, as a lefty, this gets me a little bit lathered. You see, this is a school that accepts federal funds. As such, they have non-discrimination rules, and other things. They can't give you crap for being white, black, blue, yellow, green, red, Italian, Huegoenot, Polish, Chinese, Pastafarian, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, gay, straight, bi, confuse, or dumb. But, if you're a lefty, God help you. The problem is, every group I've heard make an argument about left being gauche is religious. So, they're just completing a circle. And, because it's about handedness, I don't have a leg to stand on with a complaint. And, I and my patients suffer because I can't perform my skills in the manner in which I am most dextrous.
Honestly, it's 2008. Homosexuals can marry now in California. When will lefties be accepted? We're people too.
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