| Medical student Danka Sinikovic prepares to take kindergarten pupil V... Medical student Danka Sinikovic prepares to take kindergarten pupil Victor’s temperature, while he plays with a toy cat during a check-up at the Graduate School of Medicine. |
Kindy kids put med students to the test
6 Aug 2008 | Kate McIlwain
First year medicine students faced some tough critics when local Kindergarten children became patients at the Graduate School of Medicine (GSM).
Kindergarten from Keiraville Public School visited the GSM with their parents to help first year medical students learn about communicating with children. The children were encouraged to give their honest feedback to the students about their skills as doctors.
Danka Sinikovic and Jonathon Hill were among the students examining the children, and both found it a ‘fun’ and positive experience. The children were weighed, measured and had their pulse and temperature taken during the check-up, but the emphasis was on communication.
“We were mostly talking to them and finding out their interests or what they liked to do at school, so that they felt comfortable,” Hill said.
One of the Kindergarten students was Victor (pictured), who was very excited to be taking part. When examining him, Sinikovic used a stuffed-toy cat to help him relax. She also made sure she explained each step of the process to Victor as she took his temperature and measured his height.
“Victor was funny and very imaginative,” Sinikovic said. “The way the kids giggled was very heart-warming.”
Clinical Skills Centre Coordinator Helen Simpson that the feedback from the children and parents, and the experience engaging with kids, is an invaluable part of the medical students’ first year clinical experience.
Each child was given a gift pack and a certificate of appreciation from the Dean of Medicine for volunteering their time.
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