Sydney Harvey: One on One Conversation BACK

Published by AFAR

My days with the MSTAR program have thus far began in the lab, at 8 o’clock sharp. When I enter the lab I invariably find the researcher that I work with most closely, Dr. Sarkar, already engrossed in a scientific journal or news article on his computer. When I come in he quickly finishes and we set about our work, analyzing pre- and post-synaptic ion channel changes related to Alzheimer’s disease, which ties in with the lab’s overall goal of discovering neuroprotective estrogens. The work involves immunochemical assays and western blots, among other things, which take a little bit of time to develop. As we set up our procedure of the day, we begin to talk.

I think the talking is perhaps my favorite part of the whole experience. Doing the science and seeing how it is done gives me insight into what my career might look like in 10 years; the talking reminds me of why I am interested in doing it. I enjoyed my neuro course in first year, but it cannot compare to one-on-one exchanges with a talented researcher in the field of neuroscience. The time between setting up an experiment and letting it run is filled with deeper philosophical discussions about how the brain works, what our experiments mean, and where the field might go in the future.

At midday it’s time for my superwoman act – I only have 45 minutes to do lunch, check my emails and change into business casual clothing suitable for the clinic. Much to my amazement, I have yet to forget my stethoscope in the process! More often than not I am working in the patient care center on campus, with our highly sought-after geriatric clinic. There are so many patients interested in appointments that the clinic is booked up through November.

When I arrive there are so many things going on that it was intimidating at first. There are sometimes other students – fourth year medical students or rotating PA students – working with patients alongside nurses, PA’s and the physician on duty. Initially I was a little unsure about how I could be useful, but soon I got into the habit of checking vitals, reviewing charts, and even taking a history or two. The first time I took a real, live patient history was invigorating. Me, an almost-second year student, given the opportunity to get a taste of real clinical work? How amazing is that?

Aside from actually practicing clinical skills, I have learned a lot from observation. I had an interest in geriatrics to begin with, but I didn’t realize how varied one afternoon could be. Some patients are very healthy, others are fighting multiple comorbidities and social stressors, and still other dementia patients come in with varying degrees of the illness. I saw one Alzheimer’s patient who seemed fine in conversation, yet didn’t know the year; another sat and played the harmonica as the doctor reviewed their medications with the family. The clinicians themselves are attentive, compassionate and thorough. Even with a heavy patient load, they still take as much time as they need to talk with the families, setting up family conferences if further discussion is necessary.

At the end of the day I’m left with two distinctly different experiences linked by one common thread: everyone in the equation, both in the clinic and the lab, is working to better the lives of patients. I have learned so much in the last week and a half about neuroscience, laboratory procedure, academic medicine and clinical skills, and yet it doesn’t really seem like work. I wouldn’t spend my summer any other way.

Sydney Harvey
University of North Texas Health Sciences Center at Fort Worth

 

"Diary of an MSTAR Student" follows scholars in the 2011 Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program, highlighting their summer experiences. As they continue their path of research, training and clinical practice, read their daily thoughts at www.afar.org/mstarblog. New diary entries are posted every day, so check back soon.