WHAT WE HEAR... 

Students completing an Ambulatory Community Selective rotation assessment:   ...All too often medical education is either conducted exclusively within a hospital setting or in an academic outpatient clinic with a select group of patients that are not necessarily representative of the community at large. This course, on the other hand, has afforded me a terrific opportunity to work within the “real” community... ...I have become much more proficient in knowing what treatment options are available for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. I know how to start a patient on insulin and adjust dosing. I have learned how to perform in office procedures such as incision and drainage of abscesses and wound care of diabetic foot ulcers. I have learned how to better counsel patients with chronic diseases with healthier lifestyle changes in diet and exercise. I have also gotten better at drawing blood and sending out my own labs. This rotation has taught me how to become more independent in taking care of patients... ...I was generally unfamiliar with chronic medical management of weight problems, choices of chronic pain medication, and methods to help sleep problems. I feel that my understanding of how to juggle many necessary medications has greatly improved. Working here has taught me strategies to constructively address difficult issues, such as delivering bad news, angry or unresponsive patients, non-compliant patients, drug-seeking patients, and emotionally fragile patients. Additionally, it was very helpful to see which psych and neuro drugs seem to work best for people in a long-term community setting... ...without a doubt I have continued to learn more and more about the recognition and management of the medical problems that are prominent throughout the community. But unlike any other course in med school, this one forced me to address the financial and social problems these patients face that are not in textbooks... [some proper names have been removed from this testimonal]

Received August 9 2009 from a student completing a rural rotation Thank you for helping to set up my recent shadowing experience in Olney. Everybody there made we feel welcome and the hospital was generous to provide not only housing, but meals. You were sure right--there are a lot of great people in Olney. During my four weeks there, I learned a lot about medicine, especially as it is practiced in a rural area. I am fortunate to have been able to observe as much as I did, including two  deliveries. I left Olney with a renewed enthusiasm for medicine and a deeper appreciation for the work that rural doctors do.  As I proceed with my medical training, I will hold many fond memories of my time in Olney and much gratitude to you for making my experience there possible. [some proper names have been removed from this testimonal]

Received August 6, 2009 from a student completing a rural rotation. They were absolutely wonderful to work with! I thoroughly enjoyed the rotation. Each of them taught me something different, which was great, and they all seemed to enjoy teaching. Staying for six weeks gave me enough time to start to really know them, and to understand the office dynamics.  There was a lot to learn, and not just about medicine. There was communicating well with the nurses, dealing with irate patients, and how rewarding it was to have some of the patients visit. Since it's a small town, most people knew everyone, which was a different experience for me, since I'm from Houston.  It was always nice to have high school kids come by, too, because I took the time to encourage them to go to college. Overall, a very rewarding experience!