This rotation my site evaluator was Dr. Davidson. I was excited to have her as my site evaluator because she has so much experience in this field.

At the site evaluation I presented the following case:

IM is a 72 year old reliable female with a past medical history of HTN, HLD, vitamin D deficiency, living alone, ambulatory with no assisted devices and independent in ADLs, presented to the emergency room two weeks ago for pain, itchiness and redness in her left eye and was discharged home with a diagnosis of conjunctivitis with Ciprofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solutions. Patient arrived to the clinic this morning due to worsening of the redness and eye pain in her left eye. Patient is unable to currently open her left eye due to intense pain and pressure in the left eye. IM has developed a painful skin rash over the left side of her face that does not affect the right side of her face. Patient rates the rash a 7/10. Pain does not radiate anywhere. Patient feels a generalized heaviness of the face due to the pain. Patient admits that her left eye is constantly tearing and that she has had decreased vision over the last four days. IM also admits to photophobia and once again denies contact with anyone who has been sick recently. Patient also denies any recent travel. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus.

Dr. Davidson helped me organize my H&P to better focus on what is important for a geriatric history and physical. We have been trained how to write the HPI for a patient, but with a geriatric patient it is important to mention in the opening line their capabilities with ADLs and IADLs, as well as their ability to be ambulatory with or without assistive devices.

She helped me understand the way to properly balance Geriatric medication for a patient that presents with multiple co-morbidities. Overall, I really appreciated Dr. Davidson’s discussions and insights on both cases that I presented. She helped me strengthen the way that I presented the cases and explained what was unnecessary information to present.