Student Orientation 2025

Case Studies

• Come fly with me

  Matthew, a medical student, found out how easily you can be left ‘holding the baby’ once people know you’ve had some medical training!
   
  I was on a domestic flight, when mid-trip, a middle-aged, overweight man began experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain and fluctuating levels of alertness.
   
  I tentatively admitted I was a medical student – immediately I was the cabin crew’s favourite passenger.  However, when in a plane, I would generously estimate the amount of useful knowledge I have to be just 10% more than the crew.  For example, how useful is it to know about murmurs when the plane noise drowns out other sounds?  Can I work a defibrillator better than a flight attendant?  How much oxygen should you give when the tank has two settings – “Off” and “High”?  I took a brief history and simple observations but there wasn’t much more I could do.
   
  My observations were relayed to Qantas’ medical consultant and the question came back: “Do you think this patient will make it to the destination, or would they benefit from diverting and landing earlier?”  As the man was now maintaining consciousness, I felt that he would make it – but how was I to know?  Thankfully he did make it and they had an ambulance waiting.
   
  Although I never thought I’d need it, I’m extremely glad I have the free insurance MIGA offer.  If that extra flight time had made a difference to the man’s health my insurance would have been invaluable!
   

• What have I got myself into?

  Ben was undertaking a hospital placement and together with other students accompanied the Consultant on her ward rounds.  While the Consultant was assessing a patient, Ben’s attention was drawn to a young girl – she was pulling faces and he noticed she had a plaster cast on her arm and bruises on her cheek.
   
  Although she was not a patient on the round, Ben greeted her, and making conversation, asked how she obtained her injuries.  Quietly, she said she’d been thrown to the floor by her uncle after smashing a drinking glass.
   
  The child’s remark left Ben feeling uneasy.  At the end of the round, he approached the medical officer in charge and shared his concerns.  The medical officer notified child protection services, and in processing the case Ben was required to submit a written report.  Three months later, he was also questioned by the police and asked to submit a statement.
   
  Despite contacting them, neither Ben’s medical school nor hospital were able to offer help that directly addressed his growing anxiety.
   
  Over a year later he received a call from police requesting his attendance in court.  Overwhelmed, Ben contacted MIGA for assistance and discussed the matter with an understanding solicitor.  We were able to talk him through his anxiety and explained in detail the process he could expect to encounter in court.  Ben’s apprehension was greatly alleviated with this knowledge and reassurance, enabling him to participate confidently in the court proceedings.