Clinical Exchange in Japan

I spent 4 unforgettable weeks at Nagoya University Hospital during the winter of 2022-23. I initially requested to visit the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department during my exchange but due to corona restrictions I was asked to choose a different speciality. After some consideration, I chose the Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery Department which in hindsight turned out to be a very lucky decision.

The medical program at Lund University does not offer rotations in plastic surgery as part of the standard curriculum. So, this was my first encounter with the speciality. I received an excellent introduction by everyone in the reconstructive team and by the end of the 4 weeks I had a much better understanding of what the work entailed. All the doctors were eager to teach me as much as possible and made great effort to include me in the clinical work. I am particularly grateful for always being encouraged to scrub in during the operations. Even when I attended the out-patient clinic, where the appointments were held solely in Japanese, did my supervisors make sure to explain the content of every meeting to me and quiz me about the patients’ conditions.

Due to my supervisors’ inclusive approach, I was able to partake in all of aspects of the clinical work. My time was divided between doing the rounds at the ward, attending the out-patient clinic and scrubbing in on surgeries. I saw a wide variety of conditions and a plethora of different surgeries. Reconstructive surgery is so divers that in my 4 weeks at the hospital I only saw the same surgery twice. This aspect of plastic surgery as well as the enthusiasm of my supervisors was one of the highlights of the exchange. It made my exchange at Nagoya University Hospital not only educational, but inspirational as well. After this rotation, I am strongly considering becoming a plastic surgeon.

The only real downside to the exchange was our accommodation. The dorm rooms that are usually offered to exchange students were full so we had to seek accommodation elsewhere. The international coordinator suggested a few different sharehouses and we chose the first of these for its proximity to the hospital. However, I wish we had researched it more before deciding to stay there. The rooms were exceptionally small and in poor shape. Also, to reach the unheated, shared bathrooms and showers we had to walk down a flight of stairs outdoors which was less than ideal in December. This was particularly annoying since we later found out that staying at a good hotel would have cost us roughly the same amount as staying at the sharehouse.

Apart from that I had an incredible time in Japan. I met wonderful people, ate incredible food, saw beautiful sights and buildings, I even managed to squeeze in some skiing. My exchange at the hospital was nothing short of exceptional and I might have found my future speciality so naturally, I would encourage everyone to come to Nagoya University Hospital, just remember to double-check the accommodation!