Clinical Exchange in Japan

This course, oversea clinical elective program, has granted each of us a precious chance to witness how the medical system, clinical practice and even local culture differ in localities other than Hong Kong.

During our six-year curriculum, we studied not only clinical knowledge but also guidelines in our local practice. Even though the doctors all over the world share a same enormous pool of medical knowledge, each country has its own practice style, contributed by different factors such as language, culture and policy. It is not hard to picture that in different countries the guidelines and medical systems are different, for example, in China government emphasizes on traditional Chinese medicine more than everywhere else and in Ireland abortion had been prohibited until few days ago. When I make my choice on the country to visit for my clinical attachment, Japan becomes the first choice. Firstly, Japan has advanced medical technology and well known for the expertise of medical practitioners. Secondly, as a non-English speaking country, it may have its own practice different from other countries. And thirdly, there could be many chances to work or study in an English-speaking country or China but not Japan, which is language-wise isolated from other countries (which is later proven to be wrong during my stay) I want to make good use of this chance to gain more understandings on how the medical system work and also how medical students are trained in Japan. Last but not least, Nagoya university offers a wide range of departments to attach, in which few of them I have never had a chance to attach in previous years of study. Apart from study purpose, Japan is also a mysterious country because of its florid culture and it would be fascinating to see how people in hospital communicate.

When I arrived at Nagoya at night, it was a big challenge for me to get to the hotel because everything is new to me and I can’t speak Japanese. I really appreciate that Nagoya university has given me very clear instructions on how to get to the campus. Another thing that I really appreciate is that there’s a university society for exchange students which also arranged us activity and the members are really enthusiastic on helping us to settle down. They are really nice and friendly and eventually become my real friends instead of just acquaintances.

I have applied clinical attachment two departments, cardiac surgery and hematology and oncology, each for 2 weeks in Nagoya University Hospital. For the first two weeks in cardiac surgery department, I have tutorials with other 6 medical students from Nagoya University together. To make me understand, the tutor spoke English to me even if there are other local students in the class. I felt very grateful yet sorry that I have brought troubles. Besides the tutorial, I joined their case discussion sessions and ward round as well. After the tutorial every morning, I went to the operation room to observe how they do different cardiac surgeries for conditions such as thoracic aortic aneurysm, aortic valve stenosis etc. In the free time I spent my time in library to study cardiothoracic surgery as well as some basic Japanese in order to communicate and understand case report. For the next 2 weeks in hematology and oncology department, I observed both clinical practice and laboratory work which includes bone marrow aspiration, bone marrow transplantation, intrathecal injection as well as microscopic bone marrow examination etc. I stayed in ward every day and see how they talked to patients and medical students there also help translate for me so that I can read the report, even though I can actually guess the meaning thanks to the Chinese character (kanji).

Besides study, I also went on travelling in different places, such as Kanazawa, Takayama, Kawaguchiko and Tokyo. It was one of the best memories I have ever had! Thank you so much for the stay in Japan!