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Finally, after a month of adjusting to
my new "world" as an internist, I am now back! As you all knew, I am currently
in a specialty training at Corazon Locsin-Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital
Department of Internal Medicine, the department that caters to almost half of
all of the patients admitted in the hospital (all major departments combined).
At first, I would really admit that I had a very hard time catching up - doing
my daily rounds with my senior, manning the ER during my 24-hour duty, checking
for the history sheets and progress notes of my interns, and doing my case
presentation, which by the way, was the biggest and most attended presentation
as claimed by my seniors.
What Kept Me Busy.
As I said, the
department of medicine is one of busiest and toxic departments in the hospital.
Doing our daily rounds on my patients is not just enough to give them the best
care. I still have to open and scan my old notes every time I have
new case to manage. I have to be equipped all
the time not only physically and emotionally, but most of all, mentally.
Speaking of
mental preparation, one of the things that really kept me toxic during the past
month was my first case presentation in the department. I presented a case
of Tuberculous Meningitis. It was not an easy case after all
because my book (Harrison's principle of Internal Medicine) doesn't offer a lot
of facts about the disease, so I did all the research on the internet.
Luckily, my presentation turned out to be just fine, although, I had a some
lapses in the middle of my discussion. I may have not reached the
expectations of our "dementors" (they are our consultants who wanted to make our
lives miserable, as described by my seniors), at least I made a wonderful slide
show and I was able to give them, especially my junior interns, a great learning
experience.
What's Keeping
Me Busy. Every year, especially on christmas season, it has been a
tradition in our family to celebrate the birth of our Lord with a small
gathering in our house. However, this year will be one of the biggest
celebration that we will have. My relatives from abroad are coming over,
after three years, for a family reunion. There will be approximately nine
of them who will be coming over from the states and Canada. So as early as
now, we are already preparing our house for the said gathering.
Another thing
that makes me so excited for this season is that, this will be my first time,
after 2 years, to celebrate both christmas and new year with my family.
Actually, I have already started planning for our noche buena and buena noche.
I have also started buying gifts for my family and friends.
As a doctor, you
don't own your time. A single and important minute that you will miss,
would really mean a lot to your patient and your management. But then,
time management is still important to give time not only to your job, but also
to yourself and loved ones.
Happy Holidays! |
