Missing Opportunities
My current orthopedic clinical rotation is not the best clinical experience I have had so far. Apparently there are a couple doctors at this site who don’t want students doing their x-rays. That doesn’t bother me so much except when some of the more rare opportunities come up that I need to comp. Today, I saw my first order for an intercondylar fossa, so I thought I would get a quick comp. The order also contained an AP and lateral lumber spine view, so I started with the patient. I shot the lumbar images and was then pulled off so one of the techs could do the knee work. I made a comment that I needed the intercondylar fossa for a comp, but still wasn’t allowed to shoot it. I was told that I would get another opportunity to comp that exam, but I seriously doubt it. I’m in my second rotation of orthopedic work, and this is the first order I have seen for this exam. A couple weeks ago, an order came in for the SC joints, which I also needed to comp. I didn’t get to do that exam either.
This partiuclar rotation has been difficult in other ways also. Everyone knows that different locations and different doctors want different things, but that goes to the extreme at this site. I’m doing cervical spine and shoulder x-rays at 72 inches when they are normally done at 40. I’m also never getting comfortable with the different routines ordered by the different doctors. If I was working full time in this facility, I’m sure I would be able to pick up on the routines a lot better.
I’m going in early in the morning, because there are two arthrograms being done. I’m hoping to collect that comp tomorrow if all goes well…