Sailing lessons…

Vivian Leung, VFMP 2015

After a whole semester of learning how to speak to patients, we were finally learning how to perform physical exams. We were learning the fundamentals of the four pillars of physical examination: inspect, palpate, percuss and auscultate. Those four words themselves sounded esoteric. I say “I’m going to auscultate” in my most confident voice. What I mean is “I’m going to hold this stethoscope against your chest for an uncomfortably long time and try not to appear too puzzled.

We were recently introduced to respiratory exams. Our tutor demonstrated how to properly evaluate symmetric expansion; her motions looked straight forward and manageable. Her hands moved in opposite directions, as expected.

I think I can handle that.

Mr. ________, will you please take a deep breath for me?”

My hands didn’t move a single centimeter. Not one. I suppose one could still consider that symmetrical. Our tutor placed my hands back on the volunteer patient’s back. She said, you just have to let your hands go and sail. You need to just let them sail.

Mr. ________, will you please take a deep breath for me, again?”

And just like that, they sailed. Starboard and port side, steadily and equally.

 

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.