And on the second day, the Lord created Politics.

Well, the orientation continues, and there were some very interesting, and some not so interesting, aspects to it today. During the less interesting parts, I took an opportunity to skip out and get my id badge. As a result, you will be spared some of the details about how to use Outlook for email (1 hour long...I swear!)

The day started with a primer on Financial Aid. This was a talk that would have been helpful BEFORE we all signed the master promissory notes for our student loans. We all did have access to almost everything in this talk when we signed on the dotted line, but methinks the school discovered that not every incoming med student reads all the fine print on these loans. Alas, I guess it is a necessary evil (perchance I can still wish that I slept late instead of showing up for this 9am talk!) Oh damned fates!

Next was the talk on Outlook/ID getting time. When I skipped out, I went over to the library (the "BIC") and asked the barista there where the ID place is. The baristas have become my unofficial OHSU information people. They helped me find orientation yesterday, too. I have a feeling that they are going to be a valuable resource over my four years.

The next talk is a rarity in orientations. A session that was waaaaay too short. A research librarian came and gave a 1 hour presentation on using the library and conducting research online. Why this was given the same amount of time as the Outlook training is beyond me. I think all of my classmates agree that this could have gone on all day! I am actually considering stopping by on the weekend to see if one of these librarians can help me get oriented further. There were so many cool things that he showed us that can make our lives tremendously easier in med school...and because he had so little time to go in depth, we all have no clue how to really do them. Why do you tease us so, OHSU, why???

A boring but necessary talks on healthcare privacy followed. The speaker did the best he could with it, but the topic is a bit of a snoozer. This presentation is a necessary evil for any healthcare professional today. I think I have been given some version of it 5 times over the past two years. (On a side note, has anyone thought of designed a T-shirt with "Hungry, Hungry HIPAA"? What would the logo look like?)

Finally, before lunch, we all attended a political rally. The OMA (Oregon's state version of the AMA) and the local Portland Metropolitan version of this group came and basically worked to get us all fired up about advocating for our rights and doctor's rights. This event stood in stark contrast to the rest of orientation because of its political, and the call to arms. In particular, the one doctor was very worked up as she detailed the many political issues facing doctors locally and nationally. She was a very entertaining and passionate speaker, and quite fun to watch.

My big question, that is still unanswered, is what is it that doctors want? I feel that there needs to be a clear vision put forth by the profession regarding the healthcare crisis. Right now, all I hear are reactionary criticisms. Why doesn't the AMA hire some consultants to draft their own solution to the crisis and publicize it widely (like the oil companies like to do, for example). I feel that there is a lot of reaction, but little is proactive or preventive. If they did design an alternative, I have heard nothing about it anywhere. I know, I know, I am likely to inexperienced and too naive to really know what is going on, but this is my perception as a former civilian and newly minted medical student. Perceptions have power.

So, anyway, that was the big chunk of the day. The rest of the day was spent in a final lecture about our transformation ("It is not JUST about a transfer of knowledge, but also about our transition into physicians") and then broken into small groups discussing our hopes and "concerns" (read FEARS!!!) Strangely enough, our hopes sounded a lot like fears as well. Guessed we all are starting to realize what we have gotten ourselves into and are a bit freaked out. I guess fear is a good thing.

--CORRECTION--
The email orientation was only 30 minutes, but the library had a full hour. I can no longer remember if his time was cut short at all...but my point still stands that we could have used much more time with him.