YL5 Weeks 7 and 8: To MSK

 YL5 Week 7 and 8: From Hema/Immuno To MSK

Hello everybody. I was unable to write a post last week due to personal reasons. I decided to combine weeks 7 and 8 today in order to give a perspective more on ASMPH's program in a less involved way (because, in a way, I was indeed less involved). A reflective essay will likely be postponed to next week when I get to catch up to things though I'll offer a few short words before we begin. One thing to note about morality is that when one realizes the interconnectedness of one's actions with society as a whole, it offers a different perspective when one fails or succeeds. It has been a flaw to myself to keep struggling with a personal vice thinking I'm the only one affected. Bearing the burden on one's own is perhaps an antithesis to the covenant and partnership that medicine places as the prime medium of action– shared decision making and shared responsibility (albeit with different roles– one as patient and other as doctor). Agape is perhaps the most novel and revolutionary concept to affect medicine and society.

Week 7

In week 7 we finished the hematology and immunology module. I couldn't believe we already were facing our final exams when cell was already so long. The final was on a thursday, the rest of the week was focused on working out how to match our understanding of lectures to higher order clinical application questions. The questions were definitely what our professor said: you wouldn't find the answers on the internet. Hence, we didn't have a proctor in an exam that averaged the usual average for cell (which was proctored, to compare). This was kind of the transition class into the topics one wouldn't cover in undergrad necessarily, though I know of some subjects that were "immunology". But just as other undergraduate courses, they either are very brief and provide a broad overview or are more detailed than what is covered in medicine– geared towards the respective department rather than towards medicine. So we took the exam: both lab and lecture. We likely all felt a collective sigh knowing the exam was over but also that the orientation and lecture for Musculoskeletal module (MSK) was already the next day. We also did a midterm for MBA that was open-book. It was honestly quite daunting and long but we were all glad it was over afterwards, surprised we knew more than we thought we could while juggling it with the MD.

Last year's cohort did Developmental medicine first (embryology and all) but I suspect this was different because of our SLICE nature– ASMPH likely had to SLICE up the semester to accommodate for cadavers. The first day wasn't actually bad for a friday. We were introduced to basic anatomical orientation (basically a new "language" of speaking) and imaging (MRI, CT, Xray, etc.) in the context of MSK. The imaging instructor had mentioned in the past there was a long 3 hour lecture for imaging in general that was too overwhelming for past students so they decided to split up imaging to the parts being studied– so just MSK imaging was relevant. 

I hear from my batchmates that this is the module that they've loved so far. And who can blame them? It's what we think medicine is! It's also very kinesthetic and easily visualizable to focus on the body physically than abstract from micrometers of experiments and microscopic observations. On top of this, we didn't have MSK on saturday anymore so it felt like we had a proper weekend off. I'll also mention that our academic council was able to finally get started and kicking with getting nice and beautiful calendars out to help with deadlines! 

Week 8

The structure of MSK grading were to be daily "formative quizzes" based on each module (minus imaging) that would culminate in one section of a "summative exam" (basically a long test or midterm). There is no cumulative exam. So when the week started the focus was on a balance of asynchronous materials such as Acland, Bates, and anatomytv, as well as synchronous lectures. In a way it was pretty relaxed in terms of spreading out the studying (which can also lead to laziness). There was also a bit of histology that once again never fails to confuse people who like having a vague idea first. Histology is all vague so one has to really dig their heels in to get the first grasp of what one's looking at because it all looks the same otherwise. Concepts from previous modules do build over (especially in histology lab). The week came and went and ended with a beautiful Mass and blessing of the Cadavers in person (SLICE) where representatives for each group (randomly divided) were to attend in person (while others joined in zoom). It was a beautiful liturgy thanks to campus ministry and Fr. JR. It is sad to see his tenure as chaplain for the Ateneo Professional Schools end in December, I wish him well. It was also the memorial of St. Pope John Paul II, one of my favorite saints of the Catholic Church, and whom I fervently study on the side. 

In the middle of the week we also did a presentation for our MBA Priman class on a company in terms of its business processes and how they're aligned with the goals of the company. Having good groupmates is imperative– please take time to befriend them. Another thing to note is that each MBA professor is different so it's important to ask people who have taken this specific professor in order to assess the work and strategies. 

The next day (Saturday) was a mix of ethics in the morning and Research case study due (my group met last Wednesday to get it over with; productive discussion of asynchronous research). I found it quite interesting how grade conscious everyone was in terms of getting every point correct in ethics of all things. I treat ethics pretty much similarly to how I treat Research and Leadership– formation-driven modules to supplement our becoming doctors. My background in philosophy helped me reflect on the pragmatic approach to bioethics/ethics that seems like it fits more for those without a philosophy background. A lot of assumptions are made in surveying each theory. For example: Kohlberg's stages of moral convention take the spotlight, which we take to be true and our "goal"– to become postconventional thinkers. It's a way of viewing how people may respond to ethical situations that aren't "ethically practiced". The structure is implicitly hierarchical as it said that many will not reach the postconventional stage but we need to reach it in order to practice medicine (a privilege to be sensitive to) compassionately with patients who may not think in this way. It ties in with trying to change the country from being clannish to nationalistic. The common foundation of logic is the same but perhaps it was not emphasized in favor of learning these theories (all for some reason again in pursuit of points for the quiz). Discussion and paper writing are what favors ethics, in my opinion. What matters is the reasoning and intention behind the writing anyway, which our module instructor also emphasizes. 

The afternoon session was student-driven and one of the unique and amazing things about ASMPH. Our fellow students who graduated in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and other degrees taught us what was emphasized with them in terms of anatomy. Giving a lecture and mock exam, they provided materials that engaged our lectures knowledge in a very engaging way for the community. It is unheard of in other medical schools and it's likely one of the things that make ASMPH unique (aside from the trans system). Organization can go a long way (perhaps peripheral side effects from studying for the MBA). All of this anticipating the impending summative exam on the arm, wrist, and pectoral region on monday.