[ERdoctor]

Hi, I have recently acquired some work experience at the AMU at my local hospital. I have looked on google but can't really find much information. Does anyone know what types of things I would be seeing?

Thanks

[Nice.Guy]

It also known as the Medical Assessment Unit, MAU,
It's basically where no-one's really quite sure what's wrong with the patient or where the patient should go... so they go to the MAU. (like a less urgent A&E in a way)
The doctors there have to make a diagnosis and figure out what's wrong with them.
Depending on the severity of the case, the patient could stay there until more stable, or be transferred to a more specialised department.
In short, it's like detective work over there, and they have a very high turnover of patients, it's rare for a patient to stay more than say 3 days!
Really really interesting department, enjoy the experience

EDIT: just as an e.g., you could see someone with a chest infection which looks a bit suspicious, so while they're in that department, the doctors will take samples and stuff, get it checked out, and figure out exactly what's wrong with them, and take the appropriate action

[ERdoctor]

(Original post by Nice.Guy)
It also known as the Medical Assessment Unit, MAU,
It's basically where no-one's really quite sure what's wrong with the patient or where the patient should go... so they go to the MAU. (like a less urgent A&E in a way)
The doctors there have to make a diagnosis and figure out what's wrong with them.
Depending on the severity of the case, the patient could stay there until more stable, or be transferred to a more specialised department.
In short, it's like detective work over there, and they have a very high turnover of patients, it's rare for a patient to stay more than say 3 days!
Really really interesting department, enjoy the experience

EDIT: just as an e.g., you could see someone with a chest infection which looks a bit suspicious, so while they're in that department, the doctors will take samples and stuff, get it checked out, and figure out exactly what's wrong with them, and take the appropriate action

Okay, so its largely all about diagnosis and monitoring patients? Thanks for the reply

[Hippokrates]

Oh I've been volunteering on one for the last year so I can finally be of some assistance. It's basically a place for patients that have come through A+E or have been referred by there by their GP. Patients may be on there because the doctors are working out what's wrong with them or there's no bed on the specialist ward. Expect a lot of elderly patients who are confused but also due to the nature of the ward there's a lot of overdose and alcoholic patients. The main problem with working on the ward is that you never find out if anyone gets better. Also expect to see loads of different specialities not just emergency medicine because not all the patients can fit on the wards.

[Nice.Guy]

(Original post by ERdoctor)
Okay, so its largely all about diagnosis and monitoring patients? Thanks for the reply

No problem, yeah think you pretty much got it, although on second thoughts there isn't that much monitoring (patients aren't there for very long) - usually the bulk of the treatment (if necessary) is carried out in a different department. It's mainly diagnosis, and planning where the patient should go next
Sorry couldn't be of more help, I only spent a morning there on experience

[ERdoctor]

(Original post by Nice.Guy)
No problem, yeah think you pretty much got it, although on second thoughts there isn't that much monitoring (patients aren't there for very long) - usually the bulk of the treatment (if necessary) is carried out in a different department. It's mainly diagnosis, and planning where the patient should go next
Sorry couldn't be of more help, I only spent a morning there on experience

It sounds good anyway. Its a shame I couldn't get any in A & E though, the kind Voluntary services lady tried finding me a placement there but it was all booked. Guess I have learnt my lesson: Apply Earlier!

Thanks!

[ERdoctor]

(Original post by Hippokrates)
Oh I've been volunteering on one for the last year so I can finally be of some assistance. It's basically a place for patients that have come through A+E or have been referred by there by their GP. Patients may be on there because the doctors are working out what's wrong with them or there's no bed on the specialist ward. Expect a lot of elderly patients who are confused but also due to the nature of the ward there's a lot of overdose and alcoholic patients. The main problem with working on the ward is that you never find out if anyone gets better. Also expect to see loads of different specialities not just emergency medicine because not all the patients can fit on the wards.

Thanks for such a detailed reply! I am looking forward to it, it sounds really interesting but at the same time pretty heart wrenching. Should be a good learning experience.

[Hippokrates]

(Original post by ERdoctor)
Thanks for such a detailed reply! I am looking forward to it, it sounds really interesting but at the same time pretty heart wrenching. Should be a good learning experience.

I think you'll really enjoy it, probably the best place to learn about medicine because there's a bit of everything.

[digitalis]

(Original post by ERdoctor)
Hi, I have recently acquired some work experience at the AMU at my local hospital. I have looked on google but can't really find much information. Does anyone know what types of things I would be seeing?

Thanks

Thought you were an ER doctor?

(Original post by Nice.Guy)
It's basically where no-one's really quite sure what's wrong with the patient or where the patient should go... so they go to the MAU. (like a less urgent A&E in a way)

This isn't really true. MAUs are short stay wards for medical patients (as opposed to surgical/obstetric etc) who have either come in via the ED as emergencies or have been referred by their GP for direct access assessment (if your local has this arrangement). The ED patients have been resuscitated as required and basic investigations performed and then triaged as medical patients, usually then seen by the on call SHO and registrar.

Expect to see lots of pneumonias, acute exacerbations of COPDs, chest pains, delirium, UTI, SIRS/Sepsisy pictures etc

[Nice.Guy]

(Original post by digitalis)
Thought you were an ER doctor?



This isn't really true. MAUs are short stay wards for medical patients (as opposed to surgical/obstetric etc) who have either come in via the ED as emergencies or have been referred by their GP for direct access assessment (if your local has this arrangement). The ED patients have been resuscitated as required and basic investigations performed and then triaged as medical patients, usually then seen by the on call SHO and registrar.

Expect to see lots of pneumonias, acute exacerbations of COPDs, chest pains, delirium, UTI, SIRS/Sepsisy pictures etc

I did put it in brackets because I wasn't sure how true that was, but thanks for correcting me
loving the avatar btw

[ERdoctor]

(Original post by digitalis)
Thought you were an ER doctor?



This isn't really true. MAUs are short stay wards for medical patients (as opposed to surgical/obstetric etc) who have either come in via the ED as emergencies or have been referred by their GP for direct access assessment (if your local has this arrangement). The ED patients have been resuscitated as required and basic investigations performed and then triaged as medical patients, usually then seen by the on call SHO and registrar.

Expect to see lots of pneumonias, acute exacerbations of COPDs, chest pains, delirium, UTI, SIRS/Sepsisy pictures etc

My initials are E R and I want to be a doctor, hahaha.

Thank you for the information

[digitalis]

(Original post by ERdoctor)
My initials are E R and I want to be a doctor, hahaha.

Thank you for the information

Lol this is awesome!