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Hands on medicine, learning the fine points of the neurological exam. A routine part of training to be a doctor, but with a twist. Both men are blind.
Doctor Standley Yarnell, who runs the rehab unit at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco, says being blind slows him down a bit, but has probably made him more effective with patients.
Stanley Yarnell, M.D./ St. Mary's Medical Center: "I THINK THAT I AM ABLE TO SORT OF CUT THROUGH, CUT THROUGH THE CRAP, THE EMOTIONAL REACTION TO BECOMING DISABLED AND SO ON, SO THAT I CAN SPEAK WITH SOME AUTHORITY AND SOME GREATER EMPATHY WITH MY PATIENTS."
When sight matters, he counts on residents like Stanford's Dr. Mechele Green.
Stanley Yarnell, M.D./ St. Mary's Medical Center: "THEY CAN SCRUTINIZE SKIN OR THEY CAN LOOK AT EYE GROUNDS OR THE BACK OF SOMEBODY'S THROAT, THE SORT OF THING THAT IS COMPLETELY VISUAL. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE REST OF THE PHYSICAL EXAM THAT I DO IS, YOU REALLY DON'T NEED VISION."
Valuable lessons he's now teaching to third year medical student Jeffrey Lawler, who lost his sight to retinitis pigmentosa.
Jeffrey Lawler/ Medical Student: "I WAS DECLARED LEGALLY BLIND IN 1993 AND THEN A YEAR LATER, I LOST EVERYTHING. NOW I CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT AND DARK BUT NO SHAPES AT THIS POINT."
Jeffrey says technology has helped him stay independent while pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. And his guide dog Burke seems to be a valuable asset to the team.
Jeffrey Lawler/ Medical Student: "THE PATIENTS LOVE IT WHEN I BRING HIM IN THE ROOM. I GET 'OO'S AND AH'S AND CAN I PET HIM? AND HIS PERSONALITY IS SUCH THAT HE IS SO LAID BACK AND HE LOVES THE ATTENTION."
That's good news, as Jeffrey plans to follow in Dr. Yarnell's footsteps with a career in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Jeffrey Lawler/ Medical Student: "I THINK I'M HERE FOR A REASON, AND I THINK I CAN OFFER A LOT."
Nationwide, there are about six or seven physicians who are practicing despite being legally blind, and even fewer who are in medical school.
