SIP

There are days when you're tired, there are days when you're exhausted by work. And then there are days like this; when after spending Sunday 9 am to 9pm in hospital you go back on Mon as usual, work from 7.30am - 7 pm or so, and you come home to prepare for a night call the following day (ie from 7.30am Tues to abt 11 plus am Wed). And here people are doing exactly the same bullshit that they always do; having the same arguments again and again. Emotional, mental and physical exhaustion all combined. Shiokness.

But let that not be a reflection on my SIP (student internship programme). That means we're attached to medical teams as a junior intern, to shadow the HO and learn from them the fine art of being a HO. This posting had inspired a fair amount of uncertainty and fear, all of which have been shown to be rather unjustified. I haven't enjoyed a posting this much since A&E or so.

The renal department at SGH, which is my present home (team 1, to be specific) has proven to be extremely nice individuals; for us all the way from consultant down to HO everyone has been willing to put up with our ignorance, and shown no hesitation in including us completely. Though the hours are long, and there is much to do (and yes, renal patients have horrendous unbelievable veins which make blood taking/IV plug a nightmare for both them and us), it feels very very good to finally be involved in patient care, to finally have responsibility and work instead of just watching.

And I have to say, the way ppl react to us is completely different now; nurses are much nicer, patients are more open and willing to be examined/clerked/poked. And I for one feel much better because I am contributing as well, instead of merely being a deadweight who just gets in everyone's way.

This posting really gives an idea of how things will be in the future; and already the responses to it are varied. Some love it, some don't mind, some dislike it and some just wana die. I'm sorry to those falling under these 2 categories; but personally I wish every posting had this sort of involvement and responsibility.

Part of it, I'll admit, comes from the fact that these overworked people supervising us are no longer merely a post, they are our friends and seniors, who we have worked, played and hung out with over the past 4 years. Hence the urge to stay that little bit later, to help someone take bloods or type up stuff. I just hope that when this time comes ard next year my juniors feel the same way too haha...

More than halfway through: never thought I'd say it about this department and this posting; but I will be genuinely sad to leave this place, this team and these SIP mates and don that white coat once more.

"Laugh and you laugh alone; cry and the whole world laughs at you"

-Mr Edward De Cruz