On Post-Graduate Intership
Apr 14, 2008 Education, Life, Medicine
Time flies so fast. Four years ago, I was a struggling medical student. I couldn’t believe that I actually managed to surpass the trials medical education entailed. I will be an intern in the next 2 weeks! But I don’t know if I should breath for relief or sigh for anticipation and worries. I know that finishing my four years in medical college and entering internship mean that I am facing a tougher life and a greater responsibility.
When you are an intern, you are expected to have acquired most, if not all, the knowledge you need from your four years in medical education - that’s a big responsibility you say. Being admitted to a national hospital (in Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center) makes me worried all the more.
However, Nietzche’s said that “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” This has been my motto in life ever since I started my medical education.
I am crossing my fingers for this new chapter of my life. I know prayers and perseverance will do the trick.
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Tags: Life, Medical Education, Medicine, pgi, Post-Graduate Internship
Do I need a Laser Vision Correction (LASIK)?
Feb 10, 2008 Medicine, Technology News
I remember during one of the meme tags I have received about the 8 random things about me, I said my left eye is not functioning anymore. And it was sad but true. It’s called “lazy eye” or in medical term amblyopia. It is a childhood disease. I have actually detected this problem since I was about 7 years old during our yearly eye exam in elementary grade. I told my mom about it but she did not want to entertain it because she was saying I couldn’t have a “blind eye” at a young age. Well, it’s one of the misconceptions moms have sometimes. The case has gotten worse over years and now, I only see blurry images with my left eye. Good thing I have my right eye, but I have to wear eyeglasses and contact lenses.
During our clerkship rotation in the EENT department, I was examined by our consultant and officially said I have amblyopi. He has saying that I can have a laser vision correction (LASIK).
The procedure is costly and there are complications I should consider. One scary complication is irreversible blindness.
Well, to answer my own question. I badly need my vision and LASIK may help me to gain it back.
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Tags: amblyopia, Laser Vision Correction, LASIK, myopia
Why is it important to explain everything to your patient?
Feb 6, 2008 Medicine
During my hospital and clinic exposures as a senior medical clerk, I’ve encountered a lot of patients who switched physicians because of one reason: drug side effects but their doctors failed to mention it to them. For an average layman, he would think that he has been inadequately informed, which was true at some point and the result is broken trust to the physician, especially if he has learned that side effect from a neighbor who claims to have a “similar” experience.
Recently, my fathers’ blood pressure has been fluctuating. His blood pressure was always ranging from 130-140/80-100 mmHg and was maintaining an anti-hypertensive drug. However, recently, his blood pressure rises up to 160/100 mmHg, so he decided to consult his physician who added another anti-hypertensive to his maintenance drugs.
But my father has been complaining to me about his cough which was seemingly aggravated by his additional drug. I explained to him that the drug’s most common side effects is coughing. I’ve been convincing him to go to his physician but refuses to and decided to switch to another internist due to that reason. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: health tips and advice, Medicine, patient-doctor relationship, physician
To train at a public or private hospital?
Jan 22, 2008 Education, Life, Medicine
One of our juniors asked which is better for training or internship, private or public hospital? And this question has been in my head also since the start of our post-graduate internship application.
I have been exposed to both private and public hospitals during our clerkship. I am now at the ancillary department so I am already out of hospital duties (yehey!).
To answer the question, I had to ask these things to myself:
1. Do I prefer toxic or benign duties? Read the rest of this entry »
Public hospitals cater for the common people so it is expected that you’ll have toxic duties. But in return, you are exposed to more learning: you get to encounter several cases, including the rare ones. On the other hand, private hospitals are expectedly benign, well except maybe for some selected large hospitals.
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Tags: clerkship, health, hospital, Medicine, pgi, post-graduate internships, residency training
