Vampy's Weblog - Life of a Medical Officer

Part and parcel of medical education is learning about delivering bad news to patients and their families. During these 3 years, I have observed how different doctors deliver bad news. Some distance themselves in rather subtle ways like not sitting down near the patient, while others would reach out and hold their hands. Some deliver news as if they are news anchors while others say it in a way that is just like how we have normal conversations with friends.

Over the past couple of days, I had more opportunities to observe it. One doctor delivered the news in a calm but sympathetic manner, like how we would console a friend in need. I was observing the interaction between the doctor and the patient and his son. The patient was rather stoic about it, although I could see that the son was having some problems dealing with it. No, there wasn't tears or sobs but just that the son was vigorously nodding his head which to me seems to be a over-compensatory response.

Another doctor did not actually in words says "Your mum is probably not going to make it." But he conveyed the message and I think the family got the message but is still finding it difficult to accept the fact. I think they are still hoping that their mum will be able to get better. They accepted the fact that there is no cure but I think they are still hoping for an improvement.

But the common outcome in all, is that the patient and families get the message and there is no hysterical sobs/crying. Perhaps that will come later when we are not around. But from what I observed, it does make a big difference to the patient and their families if bad news is delivered sensitively by the treating physicians. I hope when the day comes when I am in that shoe, I'll be able to achieve that outcome.

Well, today I was asked to perform a Mini-Mental State Exam (a series of questions that accesses a person's cognitive function) on an elderly patient who spoke Cantonese or rather his primary language is Teochew but can speak and understand Cantonese. It was rather challenging to perform the exam in a different language but the patient was also hard of hearing too. So I was literally shouting my questions at him.

Also, the other day I was allowed to perform a Arterial Blood Gas on a patient under supervision. I had observed the procedure once before and when it was my turn to perform it, even though I can remember what to do, my hands were pretty shaky when the needle went in as observed by my fellow classmate. Thankfully I succeeded on my first try and did not have to muck around the artery.

I'm enjoying this attachment to the respiratory unit very much. The registrar and RMO are super-duper nice and are most willing to teach. I hope that my luck holds out for the rest of the 7 attachments that I'll be doing...

Finally... I have settled into my new place in Sydney... Boy! This is the last time I'm moving. I finally got my internet connection set up today. This week is my first week of 3rd year and it seems like I have a ton of things to do this year. If I thought that last year was bad, this year is going to be even worse... Sigh... Anyway, I took a pic of the surroundings of the place I'm staying... More pics to come soon...

Hi, all! I'm moving once again. This time, it will be to a student accomodation near the hospital. I refuse to travel. I need my beauty sleep... For the past 2 days, the orientation seems to reaffirm my idea that this year is going to be Year of Hell Part 2 or worse. :bang: I'll need to be even more focus and I predict that i'll be chronically sleep deprived.

I got all the choices of departments I want so I can't complain. On one hand, I'm really excited to begin this new chapter of my course but am equally as frightened and apprehensive if not more. I wonder what this year will bring :clueless: In any case, once I settle in my new place and have access to computer, I'll post again... Till then, :bye:

Well, the new year has kinda started for me. I just had my orientation today. Had to endure 6 hours of talks...:Zzz: :clueless: Tomorrow will be another round of orientation at the hospital. By the way, my flight back to aussie yesterday was quite eventful.

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