During my psychiatry rotation at Queens Hospital Center, I had the opportunity of participating in site visits with Dr. Manuel Saint Martin, an MD, JD. The evaluations, conducted over Zoom, involved presenting cases alongside my colleague, Abbas Aslam, during both the mid and final assessments. Dr. Saint Martin’s engagement and feedback proved to be invaluable, showcasing his genuine interest in our learning and development.
Throughout the evaluations, Dr. Saint Martin consistently encouraged critical thinking and a comprehensive approach to patient care. For instance, he highlighted the importance of checking specific labs such as calcium level in a case involving psychosis, schizophrenia, and hyperparathyroidism. This emphasis on thorough evaluation significantly enhanced our ability to present relevant information. Dr. Saint Martin’s thought-provoking questions went beyond the routine, challenging us to consider alternative treatments for conditions like depression and suicidal ideation. While acknowledging Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as first-line options, he prompted us to think on our feet about immediate interventions and in treatment resistant patients , leading to discussions on treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
One standout aspect was Dr. Saint Martin’s interest in our personal growth. He took the time to inquire about our key takeaways from the rotation, fostering a reflective practice that enhances learning. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to delve into my research on Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), which he encouraged and engaged with.
Overall, the time spent with Dr. Saint Martin was not just a routine evaluation but a rich learning experience that will undoubtedly shape my future practice as a PA. His mentorship, emphasis on critical thinking, and encouragement to explore beyond the standard approaches have left a lasting and positive impact on my professional development.
This entry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
