Where did you learn your skills?

Just wondering... as someone who is pretty much new to the scene and knows nothing about anything. What's the best place to learn from?

Theoc-

It depends on exactly what it is you want to learn, and what level of proficiency you want to achieve. I enjoy doing complete physical exams, so that was my starting point. I watched a lot of videos, I already knew how to auscultate and assess vital signs. A real life MD from this site was kind enough to share his teaching protocol for physical exams with me, and that was a huge help.

I had never done reflex testing or palpation on a human, but being a vet tech, I've done plenty of that on animals. Again, videos and nursing manuals were a big help. At the end of the day, attitude and atmosphere are most important. If you want to create a realistic scene, a good grasp of terminology is vital and so is a professional demeanor.

As for some of the procedures and treatments; if you're going to do anything invasive (sounding, catheters, etc.), learn aseptic technique and take it seriously. Bear in mind always that you are not out to hurt your patient, the purpose here is to fulfill their fantasies, and yours. A little discomfort is part of the medfet genre, intentional pain is not.

It's been said many times before, but it bears repetition; play safe, play sane, play consensually!

Play On!

LadyDoc

The basic foundation for any type of education has been and continues to be textbooks. My childhood reading skills matured quickly when I found a 1950's nursing manual and began to learn about taking rectal temperatures. Within a few pages I also discovered enemas, purely by accident, which only served to whet my appetite for more knowledge. I was in my teens when I found the university's medical faculty library was an incredible resource, far superior to the public library. For a few years I spent many Saturday afternoons in the library before I was able to obtain a lending card, however magazines such as American Family Physician which were an excellent source of information did not circulate, so I still had regular reading sessions in the periodicals department. Prior to performing my first speculum exam on my gf who was seventeen and had never had one, I had found an article in AFP titled "The Adolescent's First Pelvic Exam". It was immeasurable in terms of what it instilled for technique and bedside manner that I use to this day. Regardless of how many textbooks you may have memorized, it is the magazines and journals which provide an essential update on an ongoing basis.

The internet now offers the ability to participate in discussion groups created by (but certainly not limited to) physicians of every specialty, with access to recent papers and research, as well as things like "Case of the Month" where you can test your knowledge using pathology, radiology and physical findings to make your diagnosis. However, although a little of almost anything can be found on the internet and its very timely in its delivery, it is the hard-copy textbooks with diagrams, photographs, and lengthy technical descriptions which are your best step to your basic education in my opinion.

As far as hands-on experience, there are many ways to gain that. I was fortunate that I started playing doctor at a very young age (six) and spent my summer vacations with a female cousin who was a very willing patient. From the time I was sixteen onwards, I have had a patient who allowed me to develop my skills as my knowledge of gynecology and gastroenterology have increased exponentially. The information learning process never stops, although you gain a very high level of mechanical proficiency along the way.

I agree with everything that DrJ58 and Ladydocisin wrote. It is very important that you become very familiar with the proper techniques and anatomy BEFORE you put your hands on another person. Read; look at videos; practice. Use a dummy if you can find one. I worked in a hospital operating room and emergency department while in college and a surgical resident was kind enough to teach me many of the techniques and anatomy. And be safe, sane and consensual. Never cut corners and never go beyond your limits or your playmate's.

Obstetrics and gynecology text book 😉 and have seen quite a few teaching style tutorial videos from the web. A big part of the fetish side though comes from talking with women who share the interest.

Thanks for the tips guys (actually meaning guys and gals). Looks like I should hit the books and Youtube first. Now if I can just think of a good excuse to borrow my friends' med school textbooks...

Sure you can find some obgyn texts on ebay ...

I'm more into ultrasound scan Roleplay and one of my very best friends is an ultrasound tech so she taught me most things.