"I know why North American students are outspoken. Tell me if I'm talking through my hat on this one. It comes down to one factor really, show and tell." This was early on in our last lecture of the day, which was from a geriatrician, and purportedly to be about delirium. A topic he didn't actually get to for 45 minutes. He went on to explain that while at first glance show and tell seemed to function as a way to teach about the life-cycle of hamsters and other such pets, really it was to get us used to speaking in front of people.

And so the lectures continue. They range in topic from international paediatric care [as an aside, I'm listening to Leonard Cohen sing about being KY Jelly. WTF?] to blood-borne viral illnesses to the biochemical principles of blood lab tests. Ooh. and forensics. All sorts of pictures of dead bodies, taught by a woman who I believe is the model for every medical examiner you have ever seen on screen. All in all a pretty good deal. Most of the lecturers seem pretty glad to be there, and do a great job making the subjects interesting and make sense. I've found the lectures that are the best are when the lecturer clearly has respect for his/her profession, patients, and us. It really makes a difference.

For instance, this doctor who is in charge of the blood lab. We're all used to radiology as a specialty, but don't really think about the lab as anything but a place where you send icky stuff and get back useful numbers. But of course, it's actually the same as radiology, in that the doctor uses clinical information we provide him to help make sense of the information that the tests produce. Much of the time it's straightforward, but there can be times when results are equivocal or something, and it takes a specialist to make sense of it. He actually got me wanting to know more! The same thing has happened for me with obstetrics and neonatology. I'm feeling very fortunate to be in a position to be exposed to so many different things and excited by most of it. Helps me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Another interesting thing about this week has been the hospital's response to the election (pause for cheering). EVERYONE here is excited. Well, there are some American republicans around who aren't, but only two of them, and I like them anyway. But doctors all over the hospital were talking about it with excitement. Pretty cool.

I should probably head to bed. Another 7 hours of lecture tomorrow...

Good night, Gracie