Enter O&G

Retrospective Entry:

After settling a few more video orientations, we took the shuttle to Likas Hospital to start work. Then we met Dr. SuthaGar.



Initially we thought of asking for a few days grace to settle 'stuff'. But once he heard that we already had a place to stay (even though he also heard we did not have any of our own transportations), we started tagging (work) straight away.

I was put in the obstetric ward. Everyone so busy, so alien, I was lost. I remembered getting scolded for just standing around and not doing anything by a fellow senior houseman. I was taken a back because truth was, I really didn't know what to do, how to start.

I felt really bad, not knowing what to do...

It was so different from med school. I remembered depression slowly creeping in... I wanna go back home...

But eventually with a few helpful colleagues I began to learn the ropes. Informed of some MOs to avoid pissing off and to look out for. And learn the routine life as a houseman.

Welcome to becoming a doctor.

Tagging in O&G lasted for 2 weeks, assuming that you passed the tagging assessment. It was med school exams all over. And tagging last til 11pm alternate with 9pm. We were required to deliver 10 babies, assist 3 C-secs, and repair 3 episiotomies.

Sad thing was, there were times when we finished at 11 but still went back at 1am as we didn't have our own cars then... We depended on a 'pirate', drebar for hire charging RM 20 for the ride back only to wake-up again at 5.30 am to start work again at 6.30am... For some of us, we couldn't sleep well either due to constant nightmares of hordes of babies coming out...

Somehow we survived the ordeal. All of us studied what we needed to and passed our assessment. But that was only the beginning of the toughest posting in KK.

Tips:

- For tagging assessment, know your CTGs and Obs emergencies. These are basic knowledge needed when you are oncall.
- NEVER piss your staff nurses. They are your best-friends and potential worst enemies.
- First postings are hard but tough it out and you'll survive. Don't go through it alone. If you came alone make new friends.