Sarah Giles
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
- 9/16/2010
Running on empty
After six days of work (featuring two busy 24-hour ER shifts), I was thrilled to finally have a day off. Resolving to lie low, I settled in for a marathon of Criminal Minds on A&E. That’s when the phone rang with the voice at the other end asking me to come to the OR to assist in a C-section. - 9/13/2010
Up in the air: the perks of locum work
My quest to gain Elite status with Air Canada last year was epic. Could it be done? Could I become Elite (35,000 status points) flying only short-haul flights within Ontario, with only one transatlantic flight thrown in? - 8/31/2010
Reaching out to the community, one fish at a time
Today we lost six patients. They were dead on arrival. I was told there is nothing to be done once they are floating upside down and have no gill function. I’m not talking about humans, but a few of the unfortunate participants in the local fishing derby! - 8/23/2010
An oasis in the locum desert
Today was my 11th straight day of work in a string of calendar days blurred by four nights of call. I was tired. I felt used up. After working hard on several difficult cases without much thanks (and indeed one complaint), I felt as though no one cared about me as a person. - 8/8/2010
See one, do one, teach one—if possible
See one, do one, teach one. It’s a mantra in medicine—the manner by which skills are passed down from generation to generation. Generally, it works well. The staff teach the residents, the residents teach the med students, and the circle of learning continues. It all, however, becomes a bit uncomfortable when the three steps happen in an instant. - 7/27/2010
Is this how a 'real' doctor feels?
This isn't how I wanted to start my blog but . . . . Despite my vows not to do so, I once again find myself working way too much. The grand total of hours worked this week will just squeak in under 100! While that’s an improvement from my record 120 hours, it’s not all that much better. I wonder if I would be a little more of a pleasant person if I did less call?
