The Things I love about Tondo Gen:
1. The staff really treats you like a doctor.
They not only call you "doctor," but they also give you the respect that comes along with it. The nurses there (and even the janitorial staff) are very, very polite. They say "please" when they ask you to do something and you'll really feel that they mean it. And the residents there take your word as truths. You are treated like you're not "just an intern." They give you credit, and I love them so much for that. I wouldn't wanna repeat my rotation there, (it had been the most physically challenging days of my like) but looking back, it had been a very enriching experience all in all.
2. No more pushing!
Wheelchairs, stretchers, gurneys... name it, you won't push it. Hehe. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally fine with pushing these things. (As if one year of clerkship ain't enough, I still do it now that I'm an intern.) But just the thought that I'm not obliged to do it is very... new. And I find it somewhat ironic that a government hospital like Tondo Gen can afford to have people do these things for us. (Thank you, Philcare!) Whereas in UST, the MRODs (Manong/Manang Romac On Duty: Romac is the name of the company giving the general services in UST.) are only supposed to clean, not push, and we've only got a very limited number of transport aides so we still got a lot of pushing to do. Oh well.
3. Lots of Blood.
We do blood extractions and IV line insertions! Yey! The dormant Med Tech in me really appreciated the demand for a phlebotomist. I loved it! And aside from inserting IV lines, we also get to push Hydralazine (an anti-hypertensive drug) directly from a syringe into a vein. Yey! (Now I know how IV drug users do it. Hehe.) I'm really thankful I was given a chance to hone my skills.
4. Stitch!
And of course, the reason why we were assigned to rotate in Tondo Gen: to be able to learn how to do normal spontaneous deliveries. we already had a go with this during our Clerkship rotation in Fabella. But now, were up to a higher level. We got to do Episiorrhaphies as well! (Episiorrhaphy is when you repair the "cut" you did to make the vaginal introitus wider, thus facilitating passage of the baby) During clerkship we were allowed to do suturing on the skin only. But now, we're allowed to repair the submucosa as well! Yey! And we're also to do first assist in Cesarian Sections. (in UST, only second year residents do it in the Clinical Division and third year residents do it in the Private Division.)
5. Exposure.
Patients are the best teachers. Once you've seen a case, it's very likely that you won't forget it. And it's not only theories that you learn from patients, you also learn to be human. It's very stressful when you think about it, when their problem suddenly becomes your problem. But I think that's what makes this profession noble. You extended your arm farther than expected. You do your best to give more. (Okay, enough patient talk from me. I tend to get carried away when it comes to these things.)
So, that's that for me. For two months, I had been allowed to have my teeth set on the edge. (I love Ob-Gyn!) Thanks to everyone who have shared the experience with me. :)
Speaking of teeth set on the edge, here's what's keeping mine lately:
