Life Is Something Like That

After many many hours of preparation in the weeks and months before, the day finally arrived. We had already set up the equipments, chairs and tables the day before, and so this was it. About 30 pregnant mothers came. Some were pregnant for the first time and some had already been pregnant before. Still, what's wrong with a little bit more knowledge, ain't it?

We started with registration and the opening ceremony, as usual. Then, after a breakfast, our class started. First, there was a talk on changes during pregnancy - what to expect and some tips; then the process of labour; and also the changes after giving birth. Aspects of diet were also discussed, as they are important for the nutrition of both the growing baby and mother. There were also representatives who gave talks on amnion donor and stem cells.

Happy Chinese New Year!
Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year.

Surgery posting for Year 4 has already ended. It was quite hectic, part of it due to the log book requirements. It was a heap! Looking at the log book, there's 100+ pages, probably around 120. What's in there? Cases, procedures, etc. We're expected to at least fill in 80% of not just the book, but each section in it. Yeah, when I heard about it, I was like 'what?!'.

Let's do some calculation here. We're expected to 'complete' (in other words, to get signatures) for 64 short cases, 8 long cases, clinics, ward rounds, on-calls, OTs, and many many procedures. So added up, they will amount to about 180 signatures! And guess what, there are about 30 of us in a group, so in total, the department would need to shed out 30 x 180 = 5400 signatures! In 6 weeks time! Really, when's the last time you wrote a 300-word essay? And this is just 300 words; try writing a 5000-word essay, handwritten!

It's rather impractical. Not only is it a 'burden' to the lecturers (who are always being 'chased' by students for signatures), it's using too much of the students' time. I'm not sure if we spent more time on the log book than our academic books. Okay, so you say there are many lecturers, so the signatures can be 'shared'. But in reality, there are only a few lecturers who are helpful and understanding - the others wouldn't bother less. Then your next argument would be that the log book makes us stay in the ward more. But we need to study first! Since this is the start of our 'real' clinical years, we're 'empty'. Hence, we need to build our foundation first! If we're just in the ward hunting for cases and signatures, then we're really not learning anything. At the end of it, we're still empty. But of course, once we have the basic knowledge, then it'd be interesting to stay in the ward more. We really know then what we're missing and what we can learn. On another note, I agree that some of the requirements for certain procedures seen or done, are good. For example, wound dressing, OTs (especially if you scrubbed in), blood taking, setting IV line.

How did we manage to complete the log book requirements? I'm not too sure myself. Out of desperation, I guess, for  the sake of passing. Though the exams would be an entirely different matter. The exam questions were actually quite standard. Not too hard, not too easy. The doctors who set the questions have clearly given some thought to it. I just wished I had more time studying.

Who would've thought, of all the postings, that surgery is a 'log book posting'. Nevertheless, the surgery posting is of itself, an interesting posting. There are much to learn and much to do. Apart from that, some of the doctors are very friendly and helpful. And it's those doctors who inspire us. They're even considered idols among some students. Also, we got to actually scrub into the OT and watch real close. We could also learn and practise some simple procedures, e.g. blood taking and wound dressing. It was a good experience. The posting could have been better though; perhaps some improvements and organization will make it better.

Today, I scrubbed in to the operating theatre. Just for experience. The patient was a case of right inguinal hernia, apparently irreducible, so there's a large swelling extending into his scrotal region. I was a bit slow when I scrubbed (first time), so when I entered the room, the surgeons had already cut open the skin to the hernial sac. They were handling a pile of yellowish and reddish 'stuff'. Frankly, I don't know what they were. I guessed the yellow globular part would be the fat and the reddish parts were the layers of fascia and muscles.

Anyway, there were two surgeons, and they were very nice. According to one of them, the case was a bit complicated, as there were many adhesions, and I saw them sorting out the layers, trying to reduce and find the point for suturing. Well, I couldn't really describe what happened, as I myself was not quite sure what was happening. But roughly, I think, after reaching the sac, they reduced the contents, then excised the sac and sutured the neck, followed by the addition of a mesh to strengthen the wall.

It was quite an experience, especially for a medical student. I was able to 'assist' a little, mainly helping to maintain the surgeons's visual field, though I was a bit 'slow' at times. Haha. The worse part was when the surgeon asked me what he was doing or what the structure was, I couldn't really answer. Well, some of the answers, I already knew (I've just read on it). But at the verge of the questions, I went totally blank. Haiz.

Anyway, it was a good experience. At least I was able to have a closer look, with my own eyes, at the procedure. When I read back on the topic, the visualizations, the images in my mind will come useful to help clear some doubts and improve my understanding. Nice.

On another note, I noticed that the surgeons had been standing whole day long, and they hadn't eaten at all, as far as I know. It's quite incredible. After a surgery, they would then proceed with the next one, till the list for the day finished.