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Esther Nissen

Mrs. Haack

Convergent Science

Hands-on Learning Artifact

As part of the Global Scholars program, each scholar is expected to partake in an

engaging learning experience outside of school with 40 or more contact hours. This is the Hands-

On Learning component of the program, which allows for scholars to become involved in an

activity or program related to their essential question. These activities can range anywhere from

internships and apprenticeships to completing summer coursework in a scientific field or for a

summer program. For my Hands-On Learning component, I spent two weeks during the summer

shadowing orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Scott Adams, through his clinic and watching him perform

surgeries.

Before my time shadowing Dr. Adams, my perception of surgeons and doctors had been

skewed and had only really been based on what I had seen on medical dramas on T.V. My time

watching these shows is where my interest in becoming a surgeon started, and I considered if this

was a career that I truly wanted to pursue. However, since becoming a doctor is such a long

commitment, I wanted to try it out before devoting myself to it, which is why I decided to

shadow Dr. Adams. Shadowing him showed me what life was truly like for a surgeon in the

clinic, where he met and diagnosed patients, to the operating room, where he performed his

procedures to treat them. This eye-opening experience is one that I will always be thankful for

that I tried because I was able to observe amazing procedures and processes that I had only seen

on T.V. before. However, through my time trailing a doctor, I was also able to determine that this

is not what I wanted to do with my life. While I find the topic and experience extremely
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interesting, I found that this was not a career path for me, and that I am not cut out for the life of

a surgeon. Furthermore, my essential question connects well with my experience because I was

able to observe the different technologies and treatments used by surgeons, not only in the

operating room, but also in the clinic. One surgery that I was able to watch included a knee

arthroscopy. I was able to see how Dr. Adams would make small incisions into the patient's knee

in order to insert a tiny camera connected to a monitor, showing him the live video feed of what

was happening in the knee, in order to guide his surgical instruments around. This technology is

just one example of how surgery has been adapted to make it as minimally invasive as possible.

During my time in the clinic, I learned that this stage is just as critical as surgery. It is the

patient’s first introduction to the surgeon, so they must feel comfortable around you to trust you

enough to perform surgery. The key to this is a good bed side manner and communicating well

with the patient. Making them feel safe and secure by being honest and keeping them informed

about what you are doing and thinking that their aliments might be is a major factor to help gain

their trust. I also learned about how important it is for a surgical team to work and communicate

well together. Everyone, including the surgeon, nurses, and the anesthesiologist, in the operating

room should be aware of what is going on at all times, so that nothing goes wrong.

While I found this experience greatly enjoyable and extremely interesting, it made me

realize that I am not built to be surgeon. I learned that it is vital to understand what a daily life

for a doctor is like instead of relying your opinion on medical dramas. However, through my

experience, I became more interested in not only the diverse technology used, but also how

surgeons interact with patients. Interacting well with patients is the most significant part of their

job, so I would like to reflect more on that aspect of orthopedic surgery in my future study of the
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topic. Observing orthopedic surgery was an exciting adventure, and only increased my

admiration for what it is that doctors do every day.