Clinical Exchange in Japan

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Nagoya University Hospital Clinical Exchange Program
- Amazing Experience at the Center of Japan

Mr. Yu-Jen Jan from Taiwan

Departments: Cardiac Surgery, Emergency & ICU department
Period: 2014/01/27 – 02/21

Due to geographical and historical reasons, Taiwanese people and Japanese people have close relationships. We share some of the same cultures and languages, so it is easy for Taiwanese people to travel to Japan. Since Nagoya University Hospital is a outstanding institute in Japan and our school have exchange program with NU, I choose here for my rotation in foreign countries. Being able to learn and see Japanese medical culture is like a dream-come-true for me. I want to see for myself of what is the real medical settings here in Japan.

Department: Cardiac Surgery
Period: 2014/01/27-02/07

    I had a really great time at the department of Cardiac Surgery. Professor Usui and other doctors in the department was really nice to me. I got the chance to see every operations and even scrub-in and participate some of the surgeries. The life style of the surgeons here are much different from Taiwan. In Taiwan, surgeons are too busy in clinical works and only have a little time to do research or other stuff. But here they have time to do research and think of other possibilities in improving surgical methods or results. I was really amazed by the stem cell and regenerative medicine research here in Japan. The surgeons here are not only the performer of surgery but also the explorer of new possibilities.

Department: Emergency & ICU department
Period: 2014/02/10-02/21

    The first day I went to ER, professor Matsuda gave me a warm welcome. In this hospital, emergency and ICU are the same department. I am glad that I had a chance to learn both emergency medicine and critical care medicine in this two-week rotation.

For ER, the amount of patients is much lesser than where I am from. But in that way the doctors get more time to think and provide better management than just react to every patients problem. I have the opportunity to follow the doctors to take a car accident patient from the beginning in ER to the admission in ICU. At arrival, everyone reacted quickly and orderly. And the team leader coordinated the team in an efficient order and always beware of vital events. It's an art. I have learned a lot and been amazed by the speed and coordination of ER staffs.

In ICU, the working culture here is ideal and patient-centered. Through every morning and evening meeting of the staffs and doctors of other specialties, all of the doctors are being able to know the status and problems of each patient. For me, I followed every patients' condition during this two-week interval. I got a really good chance to think and discuss with the doctors, learning the thinking process in the ICU. Also, I got several chances to perform echo exam to the patient and improved some skills. These valuable experience will be very helpful in my future studying and career.

I also get the chance to see "Doctor Heli", the helicopter ambulance was awesome. I think with good use of it, it can benefit lots of emergency patients.

Special thanks to Dr. Kondo and Ms. Nishishita for arranging my schedule of rotations. Also thanks to Professor Usui and Professor Matsuda for taking care of me during my time in their department. It's is my honor and pleasure to learn and work with the doctors here at Nagoya University. If I have chance in the future I would definitely go back and visit this outstanding hospital again. Hope to see you in the future!

Picture with Prof. Usui of Cardiac Surgery

Picture with Prof. Matsuda at the heliport

Picture with "Doctor Heli"

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