Operation, Operation!

Chances are good that someone in your family (including pets) will need to have a medical “procedure” or operation. It’s really important to take care of our bodies, but sometimes we require a medical professional to get us back into shape. Even if you’re a bit sqeamish about blood and surgery, it’s a good idea to learn what’s involved so you can be more informed. Who knows? There may be a surgical “calling” inside you!

CONNECT:

• Explore pioneers of heart surgery and a map of the human heart at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/heart/.
• Trace medicine through time at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/shp
• Here is some advance about going to the hospital: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/places/hospital.html
• Did you know that there is a museum of surgical science? Check it out at https://imss.org/
• Watch how surgery saved a dog: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/the-incredible-dr-pol/videos/emergency-dog-surgery/

CREATE:

• Not that surgery is a game, but http://www.agame.com/games/surgery_games does provide several free games that simulate several procedures, such as leg surgey and pacemakers.
• Help Dr. Dixon repair a weakened aorta at http://www.edheads.org/activities/aortic/index.shtml
• Dream of being a doctor? Try your skill at arm surgery: http://www.learn4good.com/games/simulation/doctor-hospital-games-for-kids.htm

CARE:

• Here are some tips for preparing a child – from toddler to teen -- for a surgical experience: http://www.chop.edu/visitors/surgery-guide/preparing-your-child/   and http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=285&id=2221
• Is someone you know having surgery? Here is a publication that gives you tips on what questions to aks: http://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/diagnosis-treatment/surgery/questions/index.html
• Some teens are considering surgery for weight loss. Be careful! Especially since the teen body is still growing, having such invasive surgery can be not only costly but dangerous. Get the facts at http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/obesity/bariatric.html and http://www.today.com/video/today/46949613#46949613
• Here are issues to think about in terms of plastic surgery for teens: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/briefing-papers/plastic-surgery-for-teenagers.html and http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/body_image/plastic_surgery.html

CAREER:

Think about all the people involved in surgery: receptionists, nurses, physicians, anesthesiologists, technicians, food servers, janitors, social workers, accountants, equipment providers. The following sites give a few perspectives.

• Good overview about physicians and surgeons: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
• How to become a heart surgeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi0HtAyh-V8
• Becoming a doctor: http://www.kidzworld.com/article/9229-becoming-a-doctor
• A surgeon’s job: http://www.knowitall.org/kidswork/hospital/realpeople/people/trauma.html 
• A day in the life of a surgical technologist: http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/blog/surgical-technologist-duties-a-day-in-the-life/
• Would you like to be a veterinarian? http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0934738.html