Clinical Exchange in Japan

It was a privilege to rotate through the Department of Hand Surgery at Nagoya University and a time that I will cherish fondly as I look back on my medical school career. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience to work with Dr. Hirata, a world-renowned hand surgeon, and his team – research and clinical. From Day 1, I was welcomed with open arms as a member of the team and actively involved in patient care. In the morning, we would round on the hand surgery inpatient wards and from there, it was either clinic or the OR. In both settings, I was tended to with the upmost attention – from language translation to explanations of hand conditions, procedures, and everything in between. As a future orthopaedic surgeon in the US, it was incredible to see the various hand pathologies and different treatment modalities in Japan. While some of the surgeries were common between the US and Japan, there were so many that were taken from a completely different approach and perspective. This was an incredibly valuable experience in learning the differing nuances of hand surgery in vastly different institutions and countries.

At the end of the rotation, Dr. Hirata invited me to participate in the Annual Japanese Society of Surgery of the Hand (JSSH) Meeting and the inaugural Intelligent Functional Reconstruction of the Hand (IFRH) Symposium held in Nagoya. This was an amazing opportunity to meet leaders in hand surgery, robotics, and engineering from around the world. It was truly a unique conference that drew experts from many different disciplines to share ideas and research about how to restore hand function and autonomy. As president of the JSSH and IFRH, Dr. Hirata also invited me to several conference receptions and banquets, where I was able to taste many of the Japanese and Nagoya-specific staple foods and beverages. Attending these conferences was an unbelievable opportunity that just further demonstrated how the considerate and accommodating the entire Department of Hand Surgery is at Nagoya University Hospital.

Apart from my time in Nagoya, I was also able to visit nearby Kyoto and Tokyo by the easy and speedy Shinkansen train. Each city was unique from the ancient, preserved temples in Kyoto to the ultra-modern skyscrapers of Tokyo. Traveling in Japan is incredibly easy, efficient, and convenient with trains at all hours and as frequent as every few minutes. The central location of Nagoya also allows you to travel to nearby cities with ease and makes weekend trips a breeze.

I would recommend anyone who is considering a rotation at Nagoya University to do it! It really was an amazing experience that I exceeded anything I could have imagined. The generosity of those in the Department of Hand Surgery, individuals at Nagoya University, and everyone you encounter in Japan is unlike anywhere else I have been. The clinical experience at Nagoya University Hospital is unique and gave me a broader perspective of healthcare in Japan. From the food to the culture to the newfound friends and colleagues, you will not be disappointed!