Clinical Exchange in Japan

It has been one of my wishes to visit Japan, especially as an intern. And it came true this year. After 5 week’s experience in Nagoya University Hospital, I’ve enjoyed and learned so much that I was unwilling to end this wonderful journey.

Pediatrics

I was first rotated in the Department of Pediatrics for 3 weeks. First week I spent in General Pediatrics and Neurology. On the first day I was given a detailed schedule about what’s arranged for me everyday. Usually a day was started by morning round with several pediatricians. We checked patients’ progress and test results, accompanied patients to specific tests like PET-CT and updated daily medical records. In the afternoon there was often a pediatrician assigned specifically for me to give me a small lesson on a certain field, like the current situation for assessing children with potential heart disease or the result reading about EEG. I learned so much about explaining different kinds of necessary tests. And it was my first time to have a chance to perform echocardiography by myself. How great it was!

Then, I went to Pediatric Hematology for another 2 weeks. It is one of the top specialties in Japan, and during the two weeks here, I think I could figure out why it was among the top. Here, you can learn about management of many rare cases because those cases are usually referred here by doctors from different hospitals. Patients here received top-class treatment. But some refractory cases have to receive more than two times of transplantation because of the limitation of modern medicine. I think that is one of the reasons why these hematologists have to work so hard: they have morning journal clubs discussing about the up-to-date progress of diseases and research; they have to take part in case conference about the adjustment of current plans; they have to deal with different emergency problems… This is an excellent team, and I’m happy to have a chance to work with them.

During my stay here, there was a Halloween parade involving kids of the whole wards. It was very warm that all staff here makes every efforts to cheer these little patients and help them feel good. The decorations in the wards make it less stressful for the kids to stay here.

NICU

It was a great place because I could spend time with those adorable babies and pediatricians. Here pediatricians performed echocardiography for little patients by themselves to check daily progress of their hearts. Therefore, I had more chances to learn about images and results of different heart diseases and some other deformities. And every doctor there was so nice that they explained to me nearly everything. Doctors here also have to work late because they could close the day only after a conference, which was usually not ending early. I admired their devotion to their beloved work, and I hope I can work as devotedly as they do when I become a pediatrician. Besides, I loved their scrubs so much! It made me look professional.

Cardiac Surgery

I spent my final week in Cardiac Surgery. Professor Usui introduced to me the details of patients who were going to received operations that week. Luckily, the first day I was here, I witnessed a big operation lasting for 9 hours. There was at least one operation every day, so I could get to know about more details about cardiac surgery. Everything in the operation room attracted me so much such as extracorporeal circulation. Also, I enjoyed a lot observing the operations because their skills were excellent., and the advanced operation design also impressed me a lot.

All in all, I’m really grateful that I had the chance of spending two weeks of my rotation in this department. Not only that I had the opportunity to extend my theoretical knowledge about ophtalmological diseases, but also to actively practise in order to improve my surgical skills. I can just strongly recommend an internship at this department for anyone who is interested in learning more about Ophtalmology.

I was loath to part with Nagoya University Hospital and all the people I knew here. I like every one of them: they are warm-hearted, nice, and of a sense of humor. I would cherish every lunch and dinner I’ve had with them, remember their laughter among the welcome party, and learn from them the professionalism and devotion to work. Besides clinical work, I also enjoy my daily life here: the apartment, roomies, sightseeing, food… I wish I had the chance to come back here again.
Last but not the least, I really want to thank every people who helps me. I’ll miss you.

Welcome party at Pediatrics

Halloween parade at Ped Ward