Intubating a dummy and a real person has been very different for me. No matter how often I practiced on the dummy, there is no substitute for the real thing. Want to learn intubation? Take an anesthesiology elective such as I am doing. You are NOT expected to know how to intubate patients during clinicals. I have seen even anesthesiology residents struggling...

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Juni

I never expected that using a dummy would lets you learn certain tasks cold. I am sure a real person is the best learning tool but our access to hospitals is limited on Grand Cayman. Even if you are not expected to know certain things where is the harm in practicing them beforehand??
Knowledge is a good thing..... better than lockers at least.

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So many memories, so many strange fluids gushing out
of patients' bodies....
Josh

The dummy dolls are important and necessary in some exams such as the pelvic or rectal exams. You more than likely wouldn't find a partner who in these exams.

Know your basics b/c that is what will stand out. You'll not be ding for not getting your intubation on the first attempt instead you'll be if you don't know your anatomical land marks etc. You'll get enough experience (i.e., numbers) in Intubations/Pelvic exams/Deliveries etc in residency depending your respective field. Again, by taking the elective your main focus is to learn the basics but your residency will give you the confidence when you'll do these procedures on daily basis. Same issue with cadaver dissection...many students complain @ smu that they don't get to dissect the cadaver. You'll not become a surgeon by dissecting those cadavers...the idea is to learn the anatomy well so you can point out those things when you get pimped in those lap chole's etc.

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Ready to be "Bored" Certified

I agree with Alumni. Concerning rectal exams you will do so many that you won't need a dummy to practice on. I did rectal and pelvic exams during OB/GYN and family medicine and they were more interested in that I knew basic anatomy. Hit the books people and focus on what is important. Arguing over dummies and lockers will be a mute point soon. If I could go back I would review the Bates videos since they were right on the money.

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Juni

I'm not arguing to say that we need dummies. Its a great idea. I think having to do rectal and pelvic exams on a dummy over a real person is a bliss.

ok,,when I get there will there anyone be willing to let me practice
my pelvic exams on? im taking names now so ill be ready and I just bought 4 dozen rubber gloves too

Lol. Thank g*d I'm done with basic science so my classmates don't have to practice these pelvic exams on me.

When i said something like this... i got a warning....

well warnings and bans here are just random spurts of what little testosterone that the moderators here have left, there are no set criteria for them, if they don't like you then you get warned, if they are feeling low then they do the same....