University of Virginia student spots genuine medical condition

MEDICAL student Ryan Jones was taking part in an exam where he had to pretend paid actors were his patients. But when it came time to examine actor Jim Malloy, he noticed something strange. Now he’s being credited with saving Mr Malloy’s life. Mr Malloy was tasked with pretending to have the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurism as part of a standardised patient program at the University of Virginia’s medical school, CBS News reported. The condition occurs when the mail blood vessel that brings blood to the abdomen, pelvis and legs becomes enlarged. It is a life-threatening aneurism that can grow for many years without causing noticeable symptoms until it eventually bursts and causes internal bleeding. When Mr Jones examined Mr Malloy, he was surprised to find real signs Mr Malloy was suffering from the condition. “I go in and the story all seems like it would be an aneurism so I go and do the exam and then I find what seems to be an abdominal aortic aneurism,” Mr Jones said. Mr Jones first thought that the school had planted a real sufferer as a test, and decided to speak up. “He thought I might have been a ringer that was planted in there to test him, and I had no symptoms,” Mr Malloy said. Mr Malloy had no idea he was suffering from an aneurism, and he credits Mr Jones with saving his life. “We spoke with Ryan and I thanked him. He had the courage to speak up which was wonderful. He saved my life.” Mr Malloy has since had surgery to remove the aneurism. Source: Education News