Author: ellyk087

I am heartbroken to say that today is the last day I will be shadowing the doctors officially, for there is a fellow and resident graduation on Friday. However, today was one of my favorite days as Dr. Carlson brought in his homemade smoked wings to the office. My morning started with setting up the camera and the computer screens and shadowing Dr. Carlson. Today was somewhat of an easy day as there were not as many patients in the clinic, meaning we took long breaks during each patient. Dr. Carlson and I talked about sports and compared the college applications from more than 50 years ago to the current ones. I also congratulated him on the 38th anniversary of his first date with his wife. After meeting with about 15 patients, the entire Cornea group had lunch in the conference room eating Dr. Carlson’s wings, which were amazing. Then we went to the OR doctor’s resting room and handed out the chicken. Afterward, I was shadowing Janet again in Ocular Immunology Center. Today with Janet, I helped her set up special vision tests and watched her take out healing lens. I was sad that this was the last day for me at the clinic, and I am grateful to have this opportunity.

Today, I spent the entire day at the Ocular Immunology Center, where there are more serve cases. The Cornea clinic would see patients that have cataracts, clouded capsules, fungus infections, and similar cases while the Ocular Immunology Center would see the more “gruesome” cases. Eyes that have previous damage or special conditions would get checked in the Ocular Immunology Center. The patient process is similar to almost the same as the Cornea’s process. First, the patient will check in at the front desk. Next, the patient will be checked up by a technician, then a fellow, and finally by Dr. Perez. After shadowing Dr. Perez for two patients, I wanted to follow a different technician around the hospital. Thus, I followed Janet for the rest of the day. Her job in the clinic was different from the other technicians as Janet would actually run around the hospital, getting prints and entering labs for results and cultures. I definitely was glad that I wore my tennis shoes because following her was not easy. I ended up in the OR to pick up cleaned instruments as the last job of the day. The experience at the Ocular Immunology Center was a completely different experience from the past week.

I was at the Cornea Clinic today, and all day long, I was following a Cornea fellow. There was nothing out of the unusual today other than meeting with Dr. Kim later. During the day, the cornea fellow taught me how to set up the computer program which connected the camera to the screen. In some rooms, there are learning scopes attached to the lens and in some rooms a camera to the lens. So, when we are in rooms without the teaching scope, I connected the lens to the screen, allowing me to look into the eye besides the fellow. Interestingly, the older doctors such as Dr. Carlson do not know how to work the program; therefore, before the rotation starts, I would go into each room and set up the screens. I meet Dr. Terry Kim, the current head of Ophthalmology, in a conference room and learned about cataract surgery at the end of the day.

I love coming to the hospital now. I was afraid of the hospital at first because how intimidating it could be. But the team I am shadowing is so welcoming, and I can’t imagine another place to be. When patients ask me where they should go or who should they look for I can clearly answer them. If the doctors I work with forgot their masks or hats or the drops I know where to go to get them. I know which technician I should look for during specific times. The only disappointing part of this experience is that I cannot go to the OR. They placed a new policy that does not allow minors into the OR. Otherwise, I am learning the most out of this opportunity.

I finally received my Duke badge today, and thankfully, the line was not long at long. With my badge, I look less of a intruder and it is easier to walk through the underground passage. Unlike the previous days, I saw the patient process through the eyes of the technicians before the patients reach the doctors. I learned through Cheryl, the most experienced technician, that patients become your family. It is really heart warming to see her interaction with numerous patients and their family members. Later in the day, I was able to see two yag laser done. Through protective lens, I saw the cloudy membrane within the eye blasted apart by the red laser. I learned that minor procedures such as the yag laser and inserting air bubbles can be done in the clinic. However, the more complex procedures such as cornea transplant has to be done in the OR. I had the most wholesome experience today.

Today started with a long wait as Liana and I stood in line for over an hour to try to get my Duke card. When it was finally our turn to print my card, we forgot to bring the right identification card, so unfortunately I will have to try again tomorrow. Otherwise, the day was amazing as I got to shadow Dr. Carlson, the retired head of ophthalmology. Initially, Dr. Carlson wanted to chat about life before his shift started. Also, he taught me root definitions of medical terms while I taught him social terms he was unaware of. For example, I learned the origins of the telescopes while I taught him was “spilling tea” was. Although I did not see any procedures today, I saw an interesting kulture. 

Today was the first-day shadowing ophthalmologists at the main Duke University Eye Center. I was nervous to be in a room filled with charismatic intelligent doctors, but I had nothing to worry about because all of them were very welcoming. Since I shadowed doctors in the clinic that meet patients one on one, I cannot write in detail about what I saw or did today to respect the hospital policies and the confidentiality form I signed. However, I did get two see two eye-opening procedures today (no pun intended). I am glad I am able to learn from dependable doctors at Duke.