Clinical Exchange in Japan

I have had the privilege to spend 4 weeks at Nagoya University Hospital in Japan. My first 2 weeks were spent in obstetrics/gynecology and the last 2 weeks in pediatrics, divided into 1 week of oncology and 1 week in pediatric neurology, pediatric cardiology, and neonatal care. I am extremely grateful for having had the opportunity to make this journey and to experience healthcare in another country so far away from Sweden.

My first placement was 2 weeks in obstetrics and gynecology. I saw a lot during my 2 weeks and participated in ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and surgeries. I also attended a vaginal delivery and two cesarean sections.

Most of the doctors had difficulty speaking English, which meant we sometimes had to find other solutions to understand each other. Google Translate was often used, sometimes it was also easier for the doctors to draw and write when explaining something, and sometimes there was someone among the doctors who knew enough English to explain everything to me. Regardless, all the doctors were always very friendly and helpful. They were also very generous within the obstetrics/gynecology department and often treated me to lunch during my two weeks there. It was a nice opportunity to have time to talk to the doctors about not only medicine but also everyday things and exchange information about our respective countries.

My last 2 weeks were spent in pediatrics, which is something I really want to work with in the future. My first week was in hematology/oncology. Nagoya University Hospital is actually the country's most respected pediatric cancer center. Many of the doctors in pediatric oncology were proficient in English and were happy to give me short lectures about the patients in the ward and about their current research, as well as drawing up information about different cancer diagnoses, which was really appreciated. Of course, it was difficult to fully understand the doctor's relationship with both the child and the parents, compared to Sweden, when I didn't understand the language. However, I got the feeling that they included the children to some extent in the care. Every Friday for about 1 hour, the children in the ward had the opportunity to play doctor in the playroom, which they really enjoyed, and I myself got to participate as a patient. I also had time to interact and play with some of the kids in the ward after rounds. I still have a card a patient drew for me, which I will hold as a very special memory from my time there.

My last week was spent in various pediatric areas. I spent one day with a pediatric cardiologist, one day with a pediatric neurologist, and three days with doctors working in the NICU - the neonatal intensive care unit for premature babies.

In summary, I am truly grateful for this experience, which truly exceeded all my expectations. I am thankful that every doctor, as well as other staff categories, treated me in such a pleasant and welcoming manner, even those who didn't speak much English. I felt that everyone was eager for me to see a lot of the hospital but also to experience much of Japanese culture. I always received many tips about sights to see, dishes to try, and always got curious questions about which sights I had seen over the weekend. The people I encountered outside the hospital were also extremely friendly and helpful!