I found my calling in life. Well, for now.
Today was Journal Club - an exciting and stimulating place for discussion on all the hot topics as published in the latest and most credible papers.
Being in a room full of 70 residents and orthopedic surgeons was immensely intimidating. Not only was the material zipping over my head, I didn't want to ask a stupid question in fear of stating my obvious position as a... gasp... undergrad.
But it wasn't too bad.
Aside from the AMAZING free Indian food at an ALL YOU CAN EAT buffet, plus a paid for taxi ride to the restaurant from work, the sponsors of the event were kind enough to explain to me and the two other coop students the basics of fracture healing - before the discussion even took place.
I learned a ton of stuff, but what I found really stimulating was the frequent question of "what do you guys do." I think in the realm of science and health, it's a question that encompasses economics, technology, literature, as well as practicality. It's a question that is too often lost in the literature and studies of research, but it is necessary so that we learn from each others' triumphs as well as failures.
I had given up on being a doctor because I think I lost the reason why I wanted to be one. Sure, I want to help people, but being the selfish person I am, I don't think I want to risk putting my career in the bureaucratic grasps of our medical system to help a small amount of people.
Today, I saw the beauty of research. There are endless possibilities! Giving extra doses of Vitamin D to long term care patients significantly reduces the amount of fractures by a simple fall - who knew it was so simple! Debating when to use what surgical technique in encouraging the healing of bone fractures.
All of these have people of expertise and when these people come together for "the greater good", it's truly amazing! I still don't know what exactly I want to do with my life - doctor? public health? research? all three? But i know it's in the world of academia - somewhere.
