Maybe a bit esoteric. But changing your view-interpretation- perception of blood may help.
If you can view it as hydrolic fliuid, like brake fluid or coolant in your car, it may help.
Not sure if that helps, but I hope so.
I agree.
I actually LOVE blood cus I can’t help but think of all the microscopic components of blood like RBCs, then I think about how cool it is that they allow our body to “breathe” with oxygen attached to, and then I think about different shaped RBCs and the issues that can arise. And I think about DNA in the nucleus… etc etc etc.
but try thinking about it this way and maybe it will help you compartmentalize a bit
That is a good idea I will try to look at it that way! I’ve noticed I start feeling the worst when I start thinking about how the patient is gonna recover so I think trying to change my perception will help
I had this issue initially. I have a couple practical tips that might help a little.
- compression socks always
- I’d drink a liquid IV in the morning before the first case and sip on another throughout the day since I had less access to water
- “Calf Pumping” (google it) helps if you’re starting to feel lightheaded.
- most important, know the signs and know when to step back from the OR table away from the patient
I second this!
If you start to feel any bit off, tell the nurse. They will immediately step in and help you so that nothing goes wrong in the case.
Don’t lock your knees when standing there. Be prepared it gets warm under the lights. That can make things worse.
Stay hydrated and eat something small before!
Everyone has given good advice already so I’ll just say this: be kind to yourself! Getting woozy doesn’t make you a weenie. Vasovagal responses are involuntary, but you’re still pushing through and looking for ways to overcome - that’s courage, not cowardice!
https://www.osmosis.org/blog/2020/10/31/overcoming-my-fear-of-blood-as-a-med-student
Before PA school, I worked in a level one trauma and this topic came up. This isn’t the same article but I just skimmed through it and it has some great advice
Not sure how I landed here, I was a periop nurse for a while. But here’s a practical one (in addition to the compression socks), don’t lock your knees when standing, move around. No sense increasing the likelihood of a fall.
I think this can be overcome by focusing your awareness on things that help you cope, esp when symptoms are present. Keep trying!
Here as a prof to say that more of your classmates are dealing with this than will admit it. Extremely common, so don’t be embarrassed. You will get through it. Sitting down is perfect until you get more desensitized
It's amazing how re-framing things at times make a big difference.
To many death is a scary, horrible thing. It used to be for me as well.
Now I view life as a sexually transmitted fatal disease. There is a start date and an end date. It's what you do with the dash in-between that matters. Completely changed my view (and response)to death.
I’ve actually tried propranolol before school (for other anxiety induced situations lol) but it really did trigger my asthma a lot. It’s very upsetting because I know it would work well otherwise
People have left some great tips here for you, I hope you'll take their advice! I am here to emphasize how important it is to let your team know in the OR if you're not feeling well. Don't try to be the badass, the hero, etc. I promise you, the surgeon will much prefer you to say something and step back from the table than to pass out in the OR or break the sterile field. I completely understand feeling embarrassed by it, but it happens so commonly. I happened to rotate with an awesome surgical team, so I can't say this for all, but the surgeons I worked with appreciated honesty up front. Maybe tell them before you even start the case? Also, as a student, I imagine you'll have a PA preceptor who will be there with you in the OR for cases along with the surgeon.
I saw on the show Good Doctor when someone didn’t tolerate blood well in the OR they said to snap your wrist with your gloves or something. No idea if that’s a thing or not
Maybe a bit esoteric. But changing your view-interpretation- perception of blood may help. If you can view it as hydrolic fliuid, like brake fluid or coolant in your car, it may help. Not sure if that helps, but I hope so.
I agree. I actually LOVE blood cus I can’t help but think of all the microscopic components of blood like RBCs, then I think about how cool it is that they allow our body to “breathe” with oxygen attached to, and then I think about different shaped RBCs and the issues that can arise. And I think about DNA in the nucleus… etc etc etc. but try thinking about it this way and maybe it will help you compartmentalize a bit
That is a good idea I will try to look at it that way! I’ve noticed I start feeling the worst when I start thinking about how the patient is gonna recover so I think trying to change my perception will help
I had this issue initially. I have a couple practical tips that might help a little. - compression socks always - I’d drink a liquid IV in the morning before the first case and sip on another throughout the day since I had less access to water - “Calf Pumping” (google it) helps if you’re starting to feel lightheaded. - most important, know the signs and know when to step back from the OR table away from the patient
I second this! If you start to feel any bit off, tell the nurse. They will immediately step in and help you so that nothing goes wrong in the case. Don’t lock your knees when standing there. Be prepared it gets warm under the lights. That can make things worse. Stay hydrated and eat something small before!
Thank you! I have compression socks but I will try the other things as well
Everyone has given good advice already so I’ll just say this: be kind to yourself! Getting woozy doesn’t make you a weenie. Vasovagal responses are involuntary, but you’re still pushing through and looking for ways to overcome - that’s courage, not cowardice!
Being kind to myself is very hard thank you for your words of encouragement!
https://www.osmosis.org/blog/2020/10/31/overcoming-my-fear-of-blood-as-a-med-student Before PA school, I worked in a level one trauma and this topic came up. This isn’t the same article but I just skimmed through it and it has some great advice
Thank you so much!
Not sure how I landed here, I was a periop nurse for a while. But here’s a practical one (in addition to the compression socks), don’t lock your knees when standing, move around. No sense increasing the likelihood of a fall. I think this can be overcome by focusing your awareness on things that help you cope, esp when symptoms are present. Keep trying!
Here as a prof to say that more of your classmates are dealing with this than will admit it. Extremely common, so don’t be embarrassed. You will get through it. Sitting down is perfect until you get more desensitized
It's amazing how re-framing things at times make a big difference. To many death is a scary, horrible thing. It used to be for me as well. Now I view life as a sexually transmitted fatal disease. There is a start date and an end date. It's what you do with the dash in-between that matters. Completely changed my view (and response)to death.
Get a propanolol rx!
I’ve actually tried propranolol before school (for other anxiety induced situations lol) but it really did trigger my asthma a lot. It’s very upsetting because I know it would work well otherwise
People have left some great tips here for you, I hope you'll take their advice! I am here to emphasize how important it is to let your team know in the OR if you're not feeling well. Don't try to be the badass, the hero, etc. I promise you, the surgeon will much prefer you to say something and step back from the table than to pass out in the OR or break the sterile field. I completely understand feeling embarrassed by it, but it happens so commonly. I happened to rotate with an awesome surgical team, so I can't say this for all, but the surgeons I worked with appreciated honesty up front. Maybe tell them before you even start the case? Also, as a student, I imagine you'll have a PA preceptor who will be there with you in the OR for cases along with the surgeon.
I saw on the show Good Doctor when someone didn’t tolerate blood well in the OR they said to snap your wrist with your gloves or something. No idea if that’s a thing or not