My experience with the Fuquay-Varina Pediatrics office didn’t start on May 29th, but instead in the weeks leading up to it in which I completed close to two hours of HIPPA training. Of course, I passed with streaming colors, all 100s after my third and fourth attempts at the test, but I am incredibly educated in the Health Insurance Portability Act. This specifically surrounded around information that I could and could not know and share, specifically with personal patient information. After handing my two certificates in this morning to the clinical manager, we were off to the races with a number of costumers lining up for the walk-in clinic appointments starting at 8 am. Of course, with already close to 14 people signed up for these morning appointments (8-10), Dr. Dupuy could not accomplish this on his own. Instead, a physicians assistant student from Campbell was there to assist, Morgan. We all entered each room to be faced with a different kid with a different problem, whether a viral infection, a simple wellness check, developmental problems, or bacterial infections. I was immediately blown away with the sophistication and importance of Dr. Dupuy social attitude, whether tickling the toddlers that were crying or comforting a new mother. Although it was the cause of us getting behind schedule, Dr. Dupuy didn’t hesitate to be incredibly thorough with each patient, not only supplying patients with medication, but really helping them understand why each pill was going to be used for their child. As one mother quoted “I learned more from you in these thirty minutes than I have in our five months at Duke hospital”. With this particular five month old premature baby post open heart surgery, Dr. Dupuy took exceptional patience to answer each of the mothers questions with incredible truthfulness while providing a blanket of comfort. His patience, thoughtfulness, and true care for each patient was very memorable. Yet, this attitude shown because he was really passionate about each of his patients and what he did. I asked him why he choose pediatrics specifically and he responded with “I couldn’t resist these kiddos”. He cares about the welling of each of his patients and that shows through his work and care with the thirty costumers we saw today.
Most of his patients were toddlers or newborns, and only a few ranged into the adolescent or teen ages. However, one of the most memorable cases that we looked at today was with a middle schooler who had second degree sun burns. His skin had huge blisters filled with yellow pus, and his skin was completely red. Morgan, the physicians assistant, took charge with his two year background in dermatology, and we brainstormed how to bandage the wounds without using adhesive tape. Another memorable case was a kid who came in with an incredible itchy and painful rash, which happened to be hot tub folliculitis. Morgan educated Dr. Dupuy and I on this disease caused by hot tubs, and I eventually decided that I will never go into a hot tub again.
With a very busy day, and numerous patients to see, I was always entertained and always learning something new. Of course we saw many different diseases and problems in kids but I was able to observe the preparation of a strep sample, a hemoglobin test, a vaccine shot, and I was even able to listen to a baby’s heart. I learned so much today, and am so excited for these next few days!
The office