Day one of life in a tropical paradise

First day of elective was today - after a brief orientation program (here's your rotations for the four weeks, whirlwind tour of the hospital) we were dropped off at our respective wards. Unfortunately I haven't gotten all the rotations I was expecting/wanting, but I'm ok with that as I'm sure I'll have a great time regardless. I admit to my heart sinking a bit when I saw I'm on Orthopaedics for week 3, but I'm reassuring myself for the time being that I'm sure it'll be fun, it's only a week, and hey, being just a first-year, at least they probably won't expect me to be seriously interested in their specialty.

For this week, I'm on paeds with another girl from my uni. We were relegated to the clinic for the day, which at first sounded like a dud appointment that we only got because the doctor we would normally have been placed with was busy with students from another uni. It turned out to be a great experience, though, and I think even after just one day my eyes have been opened so much to what a paediatrician actually does. For one thing, I never realised how much parenting advice they're expected to give. Being a paediatrician really isn't just about being a doctor; it's about being an educator as well. A lot of the job also seems to revolve around behaviour modification, which was quite interesting.

It was also fascinating just to watch the doctors work. I saw one young boy be diagnosed with ADHD, and it was very interesting to watch the doctor assess him and work through the diagnostic criteria with the mother. Apparently, the boy was a 'textbook case'. There were also sadder things to see, like a pre-teen boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The paediatrician referred him today to get a thorough cardiac workup, for fear his ventricular function was declining.

Our day was meant to finish at four, but there was so much to keep us busy (even though we were just watching and listening!) that we were there til half past five. We're due in at 8 tomorrow morning for patient handover in the Special Care Babies Unit, and then rounds. I know to the seasoned med student/doctor it must seem ridiculous that I'm getting excited about rounds, but I am! It's my first one ever, and I'm just eager to get involved. And who knows what the rest of the day will bring? Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be fascinating.