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Which Needle????

86 posts & 35 voices | Started 1 year ago by big-chief-96 | Latest reply from bwoolymbr

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big-chief-96 - Member

Ive decided I want to train as a doctor but am 15 so am a while off starting university. Ive been told that the more experience I can get as early as I can the better so after convincing my mother, I have a willing teacher and test dummy. She'll teach me to take blood by taking it from me and then I learn by doing the same to her. Then move onto my dad etc.
The problem is I don't have any needles lying about the house so what sort of needles do I want? and are there any other medical practices I can learn at home fairly safely?

cheers

Posted 1 year ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

(Gets comfy. Settles in for the rest of the afternoon)

Posted 1 year ago #
Pigface - Member

This one is to stupid to run.

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmichaelwright - Member

head into town, you know those bushes round the back of argos that smell of wee and are full of empty DVD security boxes, you'll find loads of them scattered around on the floor.

They'll be free and you'll be recycling too.

Posted 1 year ago #
piedi di formaggio - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
missingfrontallobe - Member

Big Chief, most blood taking in hospitals & primary care is now done by nurses or trained phlebotomists. I really wouldn't waste your time practicing on your mum, it won't count for squat by the time you head for university interviews ("I know how to take blood, give me a place"). Good grades, good attendance, good supporting statement from school would be the right direction to go at the moment, unless mummy or daddy are already doctors in which case your place at medical school is a given.

I suppose if you did learn venepuncture on your mum, the next step would be catheterisation.

Posted 1 year ago #
piedi di formaggio - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

the next step would be catheterisation.

you're just taking the pee now.

Posted 1 year ago #
meehaja - Member

first thought... oh dear god!

second thought, be more constructive..

Med school applications want more than just the right grades (though you need the right grades) Too many doctors are super clever with books but thick with people, remember it is a patient based role. Rather than trying to learn clinical skills like canualtion/venapuncture try volunteering to work in a nursing home or for a group of adults with learning disabilities. Actual experience is worth a thousand words and working with people who can be difficult, over coming that and still wanting to do it is a big step.

At 15 its hard to give career advice (I wanted to be a doctor but ended up as a paramedic) because it will all change soon i'm sure.

but yeah, real patient experience is good, telling the interview board that you can take blood from your mum is bad!

Posted 1 year ago #
big-chief-96 - Member

its not particularly because it will mean anything for university etc. just I want to know and I can learn so why not? Its more for the sake of knowing than anything else

Posted 1 year ago #
Android - Member

Lobotomy, or have you already tried?

If your Mum is prepared to show you, but she can't tell you what type of needles to use, she probably isn't the best person to show you. I'd wait until you get to med school and concentrate on getting a qualification in English (maybe Latin too)

Posted 1 year ago #
toab - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

they showed some medics practicing doign stitches on bananas on telly last week - might be a good place to start.

The consequences of you pushing air in not sucking blood out are fairly severe fro your mum.

Get a weekend job at an old peoples home - you'll learn a lot about 'patient' care and how to communicate with people and that'll stand you in good stead.

Posted 1 year ago #
meehaja - Member

because its dangerous, pointless and dangerous.

learn anatomy and physiology instead, more useful, more interesting, less dangerous, of greater benefit to man kind and wont maim/kill/hurt your mum.

Posted 1 year ago #
missingfrontallobe - Member

wwaswas - Member
the next step would be catheterisation.

you're just taking the pee now.

Indeed I am.

But seriously @ the OP the idea of work experience or even paid work in a care environment will be of great help. Even volunteering at your local hospital or via the WRVS is a people job that would help. Most university courses, not just medicine etc, look at life skills now, Mrs MFL is a senior lecturer in education, and they use things like potential candidates having volunteered with reading groups in primary schools etc as a sign that the candidate is keener than those without such gumption.

Posted 1 year ago #
MidlandTrailquestsGraham - Member

You could get experience by pretending you're a trainee paramedic and riding around in ambulances for four months.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-12702965

Posted 1 year ago #
big-chief-96 - Member

So, its fine for a medical student to learn how to do it but not for me? That doesn't make much sense I understand the basics of anatomy, physiology etc. and I'm not going to go jabbing away. Common sense is present me, (even if its often put to one side)

Posted 1 year ago #
piedi di formaggio - Member

So, its fine for a medical student to learn how to do it but not for me?

Erm, yes, 'cos they are trained in controlled environments by qualified people

I understand the basics of anatomy, physiology etc

Erm, are you sure about that? http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-are-the-early-signs-of-injury

Posted 1 year ago #
Flaperon - Member

Big Chief, I can guarantee you that if you mention that you'd practised drawing blood on your immediate family in an interview, you'll set off so many warning lights that a career as a doctor is a pipe-dream.

Medical students practice on patients, each other, and house mates who can be coerced into being a human pincushion in return for a pint.

A much more practical use of your time is to go on a first aid course. You'll learn some of the medical techniques that you're desperate to put into practice; it'll be useful in both the near and far term; and will definitely be helpful assuming you get a med school interview. Assuming.

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

Common sense is present

as above if someone is prepared to teach you but doesn't know what equipment to use then they're not doing to well in this department...

Medical students are trained and usually in a building where more epxert care is immediately available - you won't be either of these things.

weekend job at an abattoir, maybe, if you're determined to draw blood?

failing that - care home to learn how to communicate - that's a far more difficult skill to acquire.

Posted 1 year ago #
meehaja - Member

sod it, 20gauge ACF on non primary limb, flashback, advance, retract, panic, blood everywhere, mum feels feint, carpet ruined, can't stop the bleeding, hypovolemia, LOC, head injury, GCS3, cyanosis, bradycardia/apnoea, ambulance called, Saline/adrenaline/atropine (by old guidelines) CPR, Intubation, ventilation, rapid extrication. Conveyence utilising exemptions as appropriate, ASHICE to receiving A&E. Resus ready, transfusions. Recovery, infection, blood clot, hypoxic brain injury, lifetime of care.

Let the good times roll, if you understood all of that, then dig away, whats the worst that can happen?

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

20gauge ACF on non primary limb, flashback, advance, retract, panic, blood everywhere, mum feels feint, carpet ruined, can't stop the bleeding, hypovolemia, LOC, head injury, GCS3, cyanosis, bradycardia/apnoea, ambulance called, Saline/adrenaline/atropine (by old guidelines) CPR, Intubation, ventilation, rapid extrication. Conveyence utilising exemptions as appropriate, ASHICE to receiving A&E. Resus ready, transfusions. Recovery, infection, blood clot, hypoxic brain injury, lifetime of care.

you're just trying to make it sound all complicated now, anyway he only needs to do steps 1-5

Posted 1 year ago #
big-chief-96 - Member

-She thinks 24 gauge but it was 25 years ago so she's not 100% sure.
-The grades should be achievable with the correct amount of work put in.
-Communication with people is pretty good but I live 5 minutes walk away from a hospice so volunteer work is there and will definitely be done.
-Yes I understand it can be dangerous, yes I understand things can go wrong but thats just a risk my mother is willing to take, unlike a lot of people on here, she does actually trust me and my judgement

Posted 1 year ago #
SamB - Member

thats just a risk my mother is willing to take

Posted 1 year ago #
Pigface - Member

I was wrong

Posted 1 year ago #
piedi di formaggio - Member

and again!

Posted 1 year ago #
pixelmix - Member

I thought this was a wind up based on this.

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

unlike a lot of people on here, she does actually trust me and my judgement

mothers do tend to have a bit of a blindspot where their own children are concerned.

So, to clarify - your mum's going to teach you a technique she last used 25 years ago, has no idea what current best practice is and can't even remember what equipment she used when she last did it?

As above, what could possibly be wrong with this scenario?

Posted 1 year ago #
montylikesbeer - Member

Sorry couldn't resist

Posted 1 year ago #
piedi di formaggio - Member

What are the implications long term for a 15 year old on a manslaughter charge?

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

is matricide where you kill a bed?

Posted 1 year ago #
McHamish - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
MidlandTrailquestsGraham - Member

15 year old applies for apprenticeship as a mechanic and says, "My dad used to be a mechanic, I've been helping him restore an old car" = Teachers will be impressed by his enthusiasm.

15 year old applies for apprenticeship as a builder and says, "My dad used to be a builder, I've been helping him build an extension on our house" = Teachers will be impressed by his enthusiasm.

15 year old applies for apprenticeship as a doctor and says, "My mum used to be a doctor and we've been practising on each other with needles" = Seriously big chief, what do you think they're going to say ?

Posted 1 year ago #
big-chief-96 - Member

The point isn't to go a shout it out loud to people, its for my personal interest and curiosity. If I get an interview it wont be, Hi, I'm George, I stick needles in my Mother.

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

so you want experience to increase your chances of getting on a course but you won't tell anyone about any experience you do gain in this area in case it puts them off you/results in a criminal conviction?

Posted 1 year ago #