Clinical Exchange in Japan

This summer, I participated in the Visiting Student Clerkship Program in Nagoya University School of Medicine, and completed the 10-week clinical study in the Department of Neurology, Gastroenterology, Obstetrics and Gynecology at Nagoya University Hospital. On my first day in the department of neurology, I was surprised at the first sight of the schedule, which was well designed and looked enriching. Through lectures in different topics, ward round, and outpatient clinic, we’ve studied many diseases such as dementia, PD, MSA, PSP, SCD, and ALS. Doctor Watanabe, our instructor, who is very responsible and patient, explained those difficult diseases in detail, and carefully answered every question we posed. At EEG room, I got further understanding of the principles and detection methods of EEG and EMG by Doctor Nakamura.

The early diagnosis of gastric cancer in Japan is famous far and wide. In the department of gastroenterology, I had an insight into a variety of endoscopic techniques. Doctors there were very patient and careful during the process of endoscopy, including gastroscopy, colonoscopy, enteroscopy, and ERCP. They told me that they must have a comprehensive observation so as not to miss any small lesion. They also taught us how to perform endoscopy by the model, and showed us some other techniques and treatment methods such as ESD, APC, EUS, EVL, etc.

In the department of obstetrics and gynecology, we spent most of the time in the operating room, and observed hysterectomy, cervical conization, laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine fibroids, and so on. I also got the chance to join in some of them. The most impressive one is the first operation in my life I’ve participated in—Caesarean section, thanks to Doctor Sumigama. At the same time, we were lucky to have met a group of medical students in the department, with whom we had lectures together and talked about different study and life experiences. In addition to studying in the hospital, I also visited Nagoya Medical Center for one day, and took part in various activities organized for international students. Either Utsumi Beach Party or Nagara River Ukai was lots of fun. I made a lot of friends and had a more profound understanding of Japanese tradition and cultures. In short, I consider the 10 weeks stay in Nagoya University School of Medicine a very fulfilling experience to broaden my vision and enrich my medical knowledge. Also, I had a better understanding of the health care system in Japan. I’m so thankful that I have had the opportunity to participate in this program, and I believe it will strengthen friendship between our schools, thus enhancing exchanges and promoting common development.