Accepting the Inevitable

All are in the mood of merrymaking, decorations are everywhere, I hear carols on the radio, even the TV is singing Merry Christmas, and yet here I am, with my handy dandy notebook, notes, highlighter and ballpen - STUDYING for my exams on the day our vacation ends.


It's not uncommon I guess for medical students to miss out on important events, be late on occasions or having no idea at all of happenings all around them. With the constant wave of exams and lectures, with the unending reports and case studies, it's easy to say that medical students cannot afford to care for anything else than studies. It may be depressing to think about it but it's the reality of being and wanting to be a doctor. In fact, it can safely be concluded that it would be terribly worse during internships, residency or even after practicing as consultants. 

The Art of Expectations in the Emergency Room

This article caught my attention as an intern once relayed to me his experience in the Emergency Room wherein the patient, after all that had been done for them, complained and maligned the interns and the staff of the ER. As unfair as it may seem, the disconnect between patient's expectations against hospital protocol may well be the very reason of this incidences. Or I may be wrong... nevertheless, this article is worth reading...


The Art of (Emergency) Medicine

Jeffrey Wonoprabowo, Medical Student

I had seen the patient. I had come up with my assessment and plan. I discussed it with a senior resident and now it was time to present it to the attending. As I wrapped up what I thought was a fairly decent patient presentation, my attending asked me what the patient wanted. I stammered. What the patient wanted? Wasn’t that obvious? They come in to the Emergency Department with a chief complaint and we’re supposed to fix it. Right?

Pre-Clerkship Exposure Duty Rotations

PhotoCredit: MedObserver.Com

          Our exposure duty this year had been extended to 6 months instead of the usual 3 months as a result, I presume, of the first ever student consultation spearheaded by our first alumni dean of the college. The purpose of which is suppose to orient us and make us be prepared for our upcoming internship duties in a few months to come.
          One thing I learned about these duties are they are basically WORTHLESS. Basically we don't do anything and instead we answer to the whims of the residents on duty. We do whatever they say in the absence of real work that may prepare us for the grueling work we will do as interns. It's good for those like me who had hospital experiences during our pre-medical course but for those who haven't, it's totally a purposeless.
          For the benefit of those who would otherwise learn from these experiences, I will try to give out some tips to make it a rewarding and a learning one: