An honest reflection of TB2 in year 2

The challenges posed by the second teaching block remained the same - remote learning. It was interesting to see how we would approach TB2 in a remote fashion as we got more clinical. Namely, patient examinations stand out. I would have never imagined I would be using my Littman Classic III stethoscope (yes, I'm name dropping) to auscultate a pillow that had a Beats Headphones case for its head and a clothes hanger for its neck (see picture below).

Nonetheless, alongside many in my year group, I persevered, and this surprisingly was a great learning experience. The lack of responsiveness and pulse from the patient - I mean pillow - was something new but still allowed me to go through the ordered steps of Cardiovascular and Respiratory examination (I have the Abdominal one to look forward to).

In other news, we also completed our 'Low Mood' symptom case, which was, out of all cases I've done, the most unique. Despite the COVID circumstances, we managed to have our Secondary Care placement in Psychiatry, where we were shown around the Callington Road Mental Health Hospital virtually. In addition to this, we had live breakout sessions on Zoom (sigh) in fields ranging from Art Therapy, CBT and the most interesting of them all - Music Therapy. I'm sure most second years can agree and say the latter was indeed an experience.

Still, this case in particular, challenged some of my preconceived notions about working in mental health, and it was an invaluable experience.

Then it was vaccination time! I received my first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, only for the Government's vaccine committee to conveniently recommend that "Under 30s should be getting a different jab". We'll see how that situation unfolds, but for now, I'm eagerly looking forward to some restrictions being lifted and the potential option of in-person teaching!

Written by Adewale Kukoyi