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I used to teach in a medical school, though I taught study skills and not medicine. I don't know if anyone on this list, even me, knows enough about how to learn to do doctor's exams that we can give you a formula for the specifics. In general, from what I saw of my students who went through the clinical rotations, learning to do physical exams without anxiety is something all med students have to overcome. I think your best resources are your supervisors and fellow med students who have been through it. I would definitely not recommend withdrawing, that only postpones the inevitable and will increase your anxiety, as well as hold up your academic progress. The only way to overcome it is to do it. Facing up to it will give you more self-respect and feeling that you can handle the challenges on the way to becoming a doctor.
Most likely, if you use some of the relaxation procedures for other kinds of anxiety, psych yourself up that you can do it, focus on your knowledge and the task rather than on your anxiety, and do what you've been taught to do, the patient and her husband will not really notice your anxiety and you will get through it. Most likely the patient knows you're a student and has consented to the procedure on that basis, and doesn't expect you to be an expert. This is just the first time, no one expects perfection; over the course of your career you will get better at it.
Good luck,
Annette
----- Original Message -----From: menbitegeSent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 7:21 PMSubject: [SocialFitnessForum] How do I get thru thisHello fellow Shy people. I have a clinical coming up next Wed. It is
an OB rotation. I can't imagine doing a female private part
examination in the prsence of her husband. I am really really shy
around men as is. I dont' know if should just withdraw from class and
take it next quarter after i practice overcoming my shyness. What do
you think?
Love u all
Menbi
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