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Squeamish medical students?

Ok, I really want to be a Doctor and next year I'm gonna apply for medicine at uni, but thing is I started a week of work experience today and first case was this poor kid who'd fallen off his slide and had a really deep cut on his forehead. Now the Doctor got out his razor and had to shave the hair off around it and then clean it up and then he started stitching. Well, I started feeling really light headed and had to walk out and get some water, and sit down for a while. The last thing this kid needed was for me to collapse on the end of his bed! I was just wondering if this is normal or not? Did it take anyone else a while to get used to the blood and gore? I've got lots more work experience planned so I'll get to know if I really can't take it, I just want some reassurance that I'm not doomed. Thanks.

Reply 1

rahmed

I'm sure there are a lot of people just like you in your situation. Don't worry about it, they all learn to love what they see and do. Don't let it put you off.

Reply 2

Zerforax

I'd be slightly worried if anyone enjoys seeing that kinda stuff, no doubt the more you see and experience, the more you will get used to it?
So start watching those horror/gore films like Saw and Final Destination in preparation :p:

Reply 3

Helenia

There are loads of threads on this already - just take a look around the forum for some reassurance. I fainted on my first day of work experience, and I'm in my 4th year of med school now. :smile:

Just learn to recognise the feeling and know what to do - you will get used to it.

Reply 4

sozzberry

lol. nice. Well, this may sound obvious but seeing gore on the tv or pictures in a book is completely different to real life. That's kinda what shocked me, I didn't expect myself to be so bad with it.
What did you faint at?

Reply 5

username43584

Random, I know, but why not get yourself a part-time job at a fishmongers/butchers. Gets you used to handling blood and guts.

Reply 6

Becca-Sarah

Try and arrange to see the goriest thing possible (no idea what this might be, though) so anything else is nothing compared to it. Or just learn how to deal with the fainting; I think there are certain techniques (again, use your own google) for stopping yourself fainting once you feel light headed/ dizzy/ sick/ etc.

Reply 7

smellielli

I don't know any med students. But on my training course to volunteer on ambulances in Israel, there were a few people who were scared of blood and needles. Over time they got over it and did what they had to do.

Reply 8

Ribbons

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=399931
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=391031
:smile:

Reply 9

Iscariot

There's another thread on this topic right on this page about 3 topics down.

Just imagine the blood is ketchup and the patient a big hamburger. That's what I do. The only problem is that it makes me really hungry by 9:30.

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