Our Residents Are Medical Experts

Part 1 of 7

Melissa Jack
PGY2 Anesthesia Resident

Dr. Melissa Jack, 2nd Year Anesthesia Resident

As residents, some of our most memorable stories come from our patients and their families. I was able to finish work in the operating room early one day and spend time with a patient’s anxious mother. I discussed her fears with her and reassured her that her child was in good hands. A few months later when I saw her again in the emergency room, she immediately came across the room and gave me a huge hug and thanked me. She told me that the time I took to comfort her and listen to her made all the difference. These are things you don’t forget. Of course, my first successful intubation at a code and my first unsupervised epidural—all of these were exciting moments in being trained as well!

Residents are medical experts. A medical expert is one who has a full understanding of the disease process (pathophysiology), its diagnosis and options for treatment. As well, a medical expert has the experience and training to be able to educate and offer patients available options and discuss outcomes. A medical expert not only applies knowledge, but also communicates important information to their team of colleagues, the patient and the patient’s family in a manner that assists in understanding and dealing with complex medical issues.

I am grateful for mentors here in Calgary. An incredible teacher allows learning that is invaluable and often not available in a textbook. There is a unique combination of young, new-to-practice physicians and veteran practitioners here. Through my training, I hope to become the kind of doctor my mom and dad would want looking after them. I also want to teach one day—to give my time as so many amazing mentors are currently doing for me.

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The role of Medical Expert is central to the function of the physician and illustrates how residents learn to:

1. Function effectively as consultants, integrating all of the other roles to provide optimal, ethical, and patient-centered medical care;

2. Establish and maintain clinical knowledge, skills, and attitudes appropriate to their practice;

3. Perform a complete and appropriate assessment of each patient;

4. Use preventive and therapeutic interventions effectively;

5. Demonstrate proficient and appropriate use of procedural skills, both diagnostic and therapeutic;

6. Seek appropriate consultation from other health professionals, recognizing the limits of their expertise.*

*Copyright 2005 The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada