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Clinical Elective Experience at King's College Hospital London Dubai UAE -  Week 1

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Clinical Exposure in the Surgical Discipline – A 4-week Elective Experience in Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

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Clinical Exposure in the Surgical Discipline – A 4-week Elective Experience in Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

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Assalamualaikum & hi everyone!

Welcome to my elective posting journaling!

My name is Harmeet Kaur A/P Talvindar Singh (A196247), and this marks the beginning of my four-week elective posting at King’s College Hospital London, Dubai, under the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department. The elective started on 4th August 2025, and this first week has been nothing short of fascinating.

1. Your name, matric number, date
Name: Harmeet Kaur A/P Talvindar Singh

Matric No: A196247

Date: 4th – 8th August 2025

2. What have you done?
This was my very first week at King’s College Hospital London, Dubai, and honestly, it felt both surreal and exciting. On my first day, I reported to the Education Department, collected my ID badge, and attended an orientation session that introduced us to the hospital’s culture, safety protocols, and departmental layout. Immediately after, I felt like I was stepping into a new role, not just a medical student, but a small part of the King’s healthcare family. I was officially assigned to the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department under the supervision of Dr. Krishna Meda, a UK-trained foot and ankle surgeon known for his precision and compassion. The department was vibrant, with a team that included consultants, registrars, medical officers, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists whom each plays a crucial role in patient management. Throughout the week, I spent most of my time observing outpatient clinics, where I witnessed first-hand how musculoskeletal disorders, fractures, and post-operative follow-ups were managed. I also had the privilege of shadowing the team during ward rounds, learning about fracture fixation techniques, and seeing how X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are integrated into patient management decisions. I even got to explore the Emergency Department over the weekend to gain exposure to acute trauma cases. There, I observed the workflow during resuscitations and realized how vital teamwork and coordination are during emergencies. Every procedure was executed with calm precision, from cast application to wound dressing and patient handovers. Outside the hospital, I had a chance to see some of Dubai’s iconic sights like the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Frame, which reminded me how lucky I am to be doing this elective in such a unique setting.

3. Points to remember from Week 1

Be proactive as learning opportunities often come to those who take initiative.

Structured communication between doctors and patients ensures clarity and trust.

Teamwork and coordination are essential in every clinical setting.

Preparation and readiness are key, especially in the emergency and resuscitation areas.

Imaging plays a central role in orthopaedic decision-making.

4. Your feelings & thoughts
Walking into the hospital for the first time, I was struck by its calm yet efficient atmosphere. The sleek design, quiet corridors, and polite staff made me feel instantly welcomed. Still, I carried a mix of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity. Being in a world-class hospital in a foreign country, I worried if I would be able to keep up with their pace and expectations.However, those worries slowly faded as the days went by. The consultants were not only brilliant clinicians but also patient mentors. Watching Dr. Meda interact with patients was enlightening where his tone was empathetic, his explanations clear, and his confidence reassuring. I realized that medicine is not just about diagnosis or procedures, it’s about communication, trust, and compassion. Each day brought new insights, whether it was understanding the workflow in trauma cases or seeing how technology streamlined care. By the end of the week, my nervousness had turned into motivation. I began to feel a growing sense of belonging within the team, excited for what was yet to come.

A particularly exciting discovery this week was the hospital’s AI-powered patient navigation system. The system, which integrates ChatGPT technology, acts like an intelligent virtual assistant available throughout the hospital. It could speak in four major languages which is English, Arabic, Chinese, and Hindi, making communication accessible to Dubai’s diverse population. Patients could ask it for directions, clinic schedules, or even health information via voice command, and the bot would perform Google searches or access hospital data instantly. Watching how technology was blended seamlessly into healthcare was truly inspiring as it showed me how innovation can improve patient experience and reduce workload for staff.

On a lighter note, I also explored the hospital cafeteria, which quickly became one of my favourite spots. It offered a wide variety of cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern shawarma and biryani to Western sandwiches and Asian noodles. Breakfast was free for all staff, and the atmosphere was always cheerful. What stood out most was how the cafeteria was decorated daily according to special events such as Independence Day celebrations or staff birthdays. These little touches made the hospital environment feel warm and lively, balancing the intense clinical energy with community spirit.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
One major challenge this week was the long commute which was nearly two hours each way using public transport. It was tiring at first, but I managed by planning my route early, keeping a small breakfast snack, and using the travel time to revise or reflect. Another challenge was feeling hesitant to approach senior doctors with questions. I often wondered if I was asking something too basic. To overcome this, I reminded myself that every doctor was once a student, and that curiosity is the foundation of learning. I began taking notes quietly during rounds, then asked my questions at appropriate times. This small change helped me feel more confident and engaged. I also had to adapt to the hospital’s digital system, which was entirely electronic. Learning how to navigate through online patient charts, radiographs, and operative notes was initially confusing, but observing how efficiently the team used it motivated me to practice until I got used to it.

6. Two words to describe elective posting progress so far
Exciting and Eye-opening.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)
For Week 2, I plan to:

Attend more outpatient clinics and begin observing surgical theatre sessions to understand intraoperative techniques.

Engage more with the rehabilitation team to learn about post-operative physiotherapy.

Take initiative in patient discussions such as to ask questions, practice case presentations, and gain feedback from consultants.

Continue exploring the hospital’s use of AI and technology, especially in clinical decision support systems.

Build on my confidence and communication, aiming to speak up more during ward rounds.

Manage my time better between clinical observation, self-study, and rest to maintain consistency and balance.

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Name: Asarel Ravienash Abraham

Matric number: A195732

Date: 14-20/07/25

What have you done?

For my first lesson in learning to play the drums, it began with buying a pair of drumsticks. Unfortunately, beginner sticks lack the personality and character I would have loved them to have but I had to settle. I made my way up the stairs and into a small room, where Mr. Khalid, my instructor, greeted me. We went through the components that make up a drum set, the proper way to hold the sticks, and basic positioning. I expected the lesson to continue with simple beats and rhythms, but to my surprise, Mr. Khalid pulled out a sheet titled “Yellow” by Coldplay. He broke the song into sections, and we went through it part by part. The lesson ended with him giving me tasks to practise at home. My self-learning sessions have also been a treat, with multiple online teachers guiding me through my baby steps toward becoming a drummer, and with that by the end of week one i could already play one song while starting another!

3. Points to remember from week 1!

only 2 fingers should firmly hold the sticks while the rest loosely provide support

right foot should not be flat on the bass pedal

before playing in flow learn in steps and a slower tempo then work your way up

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I feel a mix of excitement and slight overwhelm. There’s a kind of joy that comes with finally doing something I’ve always wanted to.Almost feels like I’m pleasing my inner child. I’ve always admired drummers from some of my favourite bands, and now I get to be on that journey, even if just at the beginning. At the same time, I’m realising that playing the drums isn’t as simple as it looks — coordinating all four limbs while keeping time is a real challenge. It’s a bit daunting, but also thrilling. My thoughts are a little all over the place, bouncing between wanting to improve quickly and reminding myself to be patient with the process. I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can go with this.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

had a very had time playing on tempo to the song while playing the same thing repeatedly.Mr khalid had me just tap my hands while following without the tempo to get the hang of it

coordinating both my hands and feet was at times difficult but with practice it became better over time

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

electric

bonk

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Start playing a new song in a different genre that i find interesting and to be consistent to progressively get better and not lose the small things ive been picking up.

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From Stethoscope to Strings: A Medical Student’s Journey in Learning Guitar from Scratch

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From Stethoscope to Strings: A Medical Student’s Journey in Learning Guitar from Scratch

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Muhammad Danish bin Mohd Sazuraidi

A194705

4th-10th August 2025

2. What have you done?

The first week of the elective marked the formal commencement of my project at Akademi Muzik Shah Alam (AMSA), Seksyen 7, Shah Alam, which was nearby my house. Upon registration, I was introduced to my supervisor and instructor, Mr. Gilbert Wong, the principal and founder of the academy. This initial meeting provided me with an overview of the program’s structure, expectations, and the importance of discipline and consistency in learning a musical instrument. Establishing this rapport with the instructor set a professional tone and gave me confidence to progress through the course.

The early sessions were dedicated to developing a foundational understanding of the guitar. I was introduced to the anatomy of the instrument, correct handling, and posture to ensure proper technique from the outset. Emphasis was placed on hand positioning and strumming mechanics, which are crucial for building long-term proficiency. Under Mr. Wong’s guidance, I began practicing basic strumming exercises designed to develop rhythm, coordination, and timing. These repetitive drills served to highlight the importance of muscle memory and consistent daily practice.

Alongside the practical component, I was introduced to essential music theory, particularly the circle of fifths. This concept allowed me to appreciate the relationships between keys and chord progressions, thereby linking theoretical knowledge with practical application. Although initially abstract, the integration of theory into practice provided a structured framework to approach chord transitions and laid the groundwork for future learning.

By the latter part of the week, I continued refining simple strumming patterns, gradually improving my ability to maintain tempo and consistency. To reinforce the lessons, I began maintaining a personal practice log, documenting daily exercises, reflections, and challenges encountered. This practice encouraged self-directed learning and critical reflection on areas requiring improvement.

A significant milestone of the week was the acquisition of my own guitar. This decision was motivated by the recognition that ownership of an instrument was essential for sustained practice outside formal lessons. Having a personal guitar enabled me to commit to regular practice sessions at home, further consolidating the skills introduced during class.

Overall, Week 1 established the foundation for both practical and theoretical learning. The combination of structured lessons, guided practice, and self-reflection created a strong basis upon which subsequent weeks would build.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Registration at AMSA and introduction to tutor, Mr. Gilbert Wong.

Orientation to guitar anatomy, posture, and handling.

Introduction to strumming techniques with basic rhythm drills.

Theoretical learning: circle of fifths and its application to chord relationships.

Practice of simple strumming patterns with focus on consistency.

Maintenance of a practice log for reflection and self-directed learning.

Purchase of a personal guitar to enable daily practice and reinforce commitment.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation as I began this journey, especially upon meeting Mr. Gilbert Wong, who was super friendly and warm, whose guidance immediately gave me confidence in the learning process. At the same time, I experienced moments of challenge when coordinating hand movements for strumming, especially building strength upon my pinky and ring finger, which highlighted the patience and discipline required to acquire new skills.

Purchasing my own guitar by the end of the week gave me a strong sense of ownership and responsibility, reinforcing my motivation to practice consistently. Overall, I felt encouraged by the progress made within a short time and optimistic about building upon this foundation in the weeks ahead.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

A notable difficulty during the first week was learning and executing open chords. Initially, I struggled with finger placement on the fretboard, often producing muted or unclear sounds. This challenge was compounded by the need to coordinate smooth transitions between chords while maintaining rhythm.

To cope, I adopted a consistent practice routine, repeating chord shapes daily and focusing on memorising finger positions. Slow, deliberate practice gradually improved muscle memory, and with repetition, my accuracy and clarity increased. By reinforcing these patterns, I began to overcome the initial frustration and build confidence in playing open chords.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Super exciting.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

In the upcoming week, my focus will be on strengthening chord transitions and applying rhythm control in simple progressions. I plan to dedicate daily practice sessions to refining open chord changes and reinforcing strumming consistency. Alongside the practical component, I aim to expand my theoretical knowledge by exploring basic scales and intervals to deepen my understanding of chord structures.

Additionally, I intend to learn and practice simple beginner songs as a way to integrate technique with musical expression. Mr. Gilbert also mentioned I need to pick one of my favourite songs to learn in the next week to practice which he promised to teach with his guidance, which sounds exciting.

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Community Pharmacy Elective Posting - Week 1

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"Paracetamol:headache? fever? heartbreak💔? People think it cures all! I'm here at CARiNG Pharmacy, Mytown as a medical student to investigate🕵🏻🔎 - maybe it really is the magic pill after all!"

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"Paracetamol:headache? fever? heartbreak💔? People think it cures all! I'm here at CARiNG Pharmacy, Mytown as a medical student to investigate🕵🏻🔎 - maybe it really is the magic pill after all!"

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Lee Zhi Qing, A195055, 4 August 2025 - 10 August 2025

2. What have you done?

In the first week, I reported to CARiNG Pharmacy, MyTown, and started to understand the practical aspects of community pharmacy operations. I realized that unlike hospital settings, customers here are often random visitors instead of regular follow-ups, and the goals are not only to provide patient care but also to ensure profit and sustainability of the pharmacy.

Inspired by my topic, “Paracetamol: headache? fever? heartbreak? People think it cures all!”, I asked the pharmacist about paracetamol’s actual therapeutic role and also researched it online. I learned that while paracetamol is very effective for fever and mild-to-moderate pain such as headaches, toothache, or muscle aches, it is often overestimated by the public and is not truly a ‘magic pill’ for including stress or even heartbreak. In reality, paracetamol has no role in treating emotional pain or conditions outside its analgesic and antipyretic properties. I also realized that frequent overuse or overdosing of paracetamol can cause serious liver damage, which is why proper patient education is so important in the community setting.

Beyond this, I familiarized myself with commonly dispensed medications for chronic conditions such as hypertension (e.g., amlodipine, losartan), diabetes (e.g., metformin, gliclazide, insulin), hyperlipidemia (e.g., simvastatin, atorvastatin), and asthma (e.g., salbutamol inhalers, budesonide-formoterol). This helped me appreciate not only the wide variety of medications patients rely on but also the crucial role pharmacists play in ensuring correct use and adherence.

I also observed the role of pharmacists in multidisciplinary healthcare and learned about the therapeutic functions of major medications under the pharmacist’s guidance. To strengthen my knowledge, I searched and studied more about these medications online.

Additionally, I gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements in handling prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medication dispensing. For prescription medications, I learned that pharmacists must carefully check for the doctor’s name, patient details, date, and proper drug instructions before dispensing. Controlled medicines require stricter documentation and record-keeping to prevent misuse or abuse. For OTC medications, such as paracetamol, cough syrups, or antihistamines, I observed that pharmacists are responsible for ensuring patients understand the correct dosage, possible side effects, and when medical consultation is necessary. I also learned about the classification of medicines in Malaysia into Group B (prescription only), Group C (pharmacist-only medicines sold under supervision), and general sale items (available without restriction). These regulations not only protect patients from medication errors but also uphold the professional accountability of pharmacists in the community.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Paracetamol is effective for its analgesic and antipyretic properties, especially for fever and mild-to-moderate pain (e.g., headache, toothache, muscle ache) but is not a “magic pill” for every illness.

Community pharmacy operations balance both healthcare delivery and business sustainability.

Customers in community pharmacies are often random walk-ins rather than regular follow-ups, unlike in hospitals.

Pharmacists play a key role in multidisciplinary healthcare, guiding patients on safe medication use. Another key point is that the pharmacist’s role extends beyond dispensing medications—they also serve as advisors, educators, and healthcare collaborators.

Legal and regulatory requirements are essential in prescription handling and OTC medication dispensing.

Self-learning through online resources helps to reinforce knowledge about therapeutic functions of medications.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I felt excited and aspirational because every day brought new learning opportunities that challenged my understanding of medications and patient care. At first, I thought pharmacy work might be repetitive, but I quickly realized that each customer’s needs, conditions, and questions are unique. This made the experience dynamic and meaningful, as I could see how pharmacists adapt their knowledge and communication to suit different situations.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
Initially, I struggled with remembering the many names and classifications of medications. To cope, I took notes, grouped medications by class, and revised them in the evenings. I also asked the pharmacist questions whenever I was unsure.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far
Interesting & Insightful

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)
Next week, I plan to focus on practicing the correct techniques for using medical devices such as blood pressure monitors, glucometers, and insulin pens. I also want to practice basic patient counseling under pharmacist supervision to improve my communication skills.

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EP WEEK 1- Malaysia Petroleum Research Corporation (MPRC)

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EP WEEK 1- Malaysia Petroleum Research Corporation (MPRC)

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Assalamualaikum and welcome everyone, if you wanna know what interning in a petroleum research corporation is like, well you're at the right place. Join me in my exciting journey as I uncover the process to form policies related to the oil and gas industry.

1. Your name, matric number, date

Ameerul Akif Bin Shahizam

A195043

23/6/2025

2. What have you done?

Started my very first day of intern at MPRC. MPRC is a government agency under the Ministry of Economy (KE), the role of MPRC is to assist KE in Roadmaps related to the Oil and Gas Sector (OGSE) and other related projects related to sustainability. I was placed under the Corporate Strategy and Research (CSR) department, directly assisting the head of CSR, Pn Ilham. 3 words to describe her at work would be, wholesome, hardworking and busy. While under her, I would be assisting her team for the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Roadmap which is one of the levers set under RMK-13 to achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050. A roadmap is basically a step by step pathway the government and industries follow to ensure the success of a policy. In this case, KE will make the CCUS policy while MPRC will be making the CCUS Roadmap. These are all ofcourse under NDA so I can't explain the exact details :)

So what have I done for my first week? One word, READING. I was given a stack of material to go through and familiarise myself to what on earth CCUS was, how OGSE works, and what MPRC does. In the pictures you can see the amount of reading materials. A MOUNTAIN, and that doesn't even include the digital data slides that I have to go through. Oh yeah from the materials and data sets, I had to make a slide presentation and present my findings to the team. I was also involved in external meetings at TNB where we as a team learnt that they already have projects related to CCUS, which involved cultivating microalgae from CO2. COOL!

So you're probably asking, where is the petroleum part? I thought you joined a petroleum research something something?

What lies are this? Calm down little one, those stories will be told in future, you're just going to have to continue reading my weekly padlet to find out :p

3. Points to remember from week 1!

READING

EXTERNAL MEETING

Corporate rizz

Networking

CCUS

MPRC

4. Your feelings & thoughts

Exciting to join the meetings

Bored out of my mind when reading

Happy that there was free coffee and snacks and the pantry

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Work was so sedentary, had to take frequent walks to keep active

Office was so cold, had to move to the pantry to warm up

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

New

Corporate

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Continue with reading and data analysis, create data slides and assist team in CCUS Roadmap

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EP WEEK 1- Malaysia Petroleum Research Corporation (MPRC)

Assalamualaikum and welcome everyone, if you wanna know what interning in a petroleum research corporation is like, well you're at the right place. Join me in my exciting journey as I uncover the process to form policies related to the oil and gas industry.

1. Your name, matric number, date

Ameerul Akif Bin Shahizam

A195043

23/6/2025

2. What have you done?

Started the my very first day of intern at MPRC. MPRC is a government agency under the Ministry of Economy (KE), the role of MPRC is to assist KE in Roadmaps related to the Oil and Gas Sector (OGSE) and other related projects related to sustainability. I was placed under the Corporate Strategy and Research (CSR) department, directly assisting the head of CSR, Pn Ilham. 3 words to describe her at work would be, wholesome, hardworking and busy. While under her, I would be assisting her team for the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Roadmap which is one of the levers set under RMK-13 to achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050. A roadmap is basically a step by step pathway the government and industries follow to ensure the success of a policy. In this case, KE will make the CCUS policy while MPRC will be making the CCUS Roadmap. These are all ofcourse under NDA so I can't explain the exact details :)

So what have I done for my first week? One word, READING. I was given a stack of material to go through and familiarise myself to what on earth CCUS was, how OGSE works, and what MPRC does. In the pictures you can see the amount of reading materials. A MOUNTAIN, and that doesn't even include the digital data slides that I have to go through. Oh yeah from the materials and data sets, I had to make a slide presentation and present my findings to the team. I was also was involved in external meetings at TNB where we as team learnt that they already have projects related to CCUS, which involved cultivating microalgae from CO2. COOL!

So you're probably asking, where is the petroleum part? I thought you joined a petroleum research something something?

What lies are this? Calm down little one, those stories will be told in future, you're just going to have to continue reading my weekly padlet to find out :p

3. Points to remember from week 1!

READING

EXTERNAL MEETING

Corporate rizz

Networking

CCUS

MPRC

4. Your feelings & thoughts

Exciting to join the meetings

Bored out of my mind when reading

Happy that there was free coffee and snacks and the pantry

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Work was so sedentary, had to take frequent walks to keep active

Office was so cold, had to move to the pantry to warm up

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

New

Corporate

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Continue with reading and data analysis, create data slides and assist team in CCUS Roadmap