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PHASE 1: Preparation before the commencement of Clinical Elective Posting under Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Department

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PHASE 1: Preparation before the commencement of Clinical Elective Posting under Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Department

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1) Your name, matric number, date

Name: WONG JIAN CONG

Matric Number: A188021

Date: 5th August 2024

2) What have you done?

A few months before the start of my elective posting, I contacted some seniors who did their elective posting at Singapore to ask regarding their journey in doing elective posting, as well as I did some research on which hospital I am going to attach to for the following 2 weeks, in which I take into account factors like distance travel, accommodation, and what type of department is being offered.

After that, I have prepared all related documentation to apply for my elective posting, which includes an infectious control training certificate, a letter of good standing, and a personal protective equipment certificate. Me and a group of friends had undergone a mask fitting session with Mr. Clarence, who is a science officer, who gave us a briefing on types of N95 masks and performed a mask fitting check on us.

I also did some research on where and what type of accommodation I will be staying for the next two weeks, in which I take into account factors like pricing and distance travel back and forth from my accommodation to the hospital.

Before I travel to Singapore, I did apply for an international visa card, which allows me to perform contactless payments, and I also exchanged some Malaysian Ringgit currency into Singapore dollars.

Prior to my ride to Singapore, I had book a bus ticket and packed all my necessities like clothing which includes my UKM scrubs, personal hygiene stuff as well as all important documentations that I need to bring to Singapore.

3)Points to remember

Since it was my first time traveling alone, I realized that I have to do my research before traveling to ensure my journey to Singapore goes smoothly, and I have to take into account factors when it comes to choosing a hospital, accommodation, and mode of transport.

4) Your feeling and Thought

I was feeling nervous at first since it is my first time traveling alone for the next 2 weeks because I have to prepare everything on my own. However, at the same time, I felt excited because I am able to spend the following 2 weeks learning about Singapore healthcare systems and I am about to gain new knowledge in the department that I will attach to in NUH hospital.

5) Any difficulties and concern?

How did you cope?

At first, I was worried about getting my application rejected since my senior did mention that not all students will be accepted, and at the same time, not all hospitals offer elective posting. Hence, I was quite concerned as the application took a few months and the application process was quite a lot and strict. Hence, what I did was ensure every one of my documents that I submitted were in the correct format, and because there were quite a few students that were applying to Singapore as well, I applied earlier when the application was opened.

Beside that, it will be my first time traveling alone, and I felt nervous because the moment I step into Singapore, I have to be dependent on myself. Hence, I told myself to enjoy the journey and have fun as much as possible.

6) Two words to describe progress

a) Excited

b) Nerve wracking

7) Your plan for next week

For the first week, I plan to contact my supervisor, who I will be attaching to for the next 2 weeks, as well as get familiar with the route and how I will be traveling back and forth to the hospital. More than that, I will be planning on what goals I would love to achieve throughout my elective posting to ensure I maximize my time in the upcoming 2 weeks.

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PHASE 1: Preparation Phase For Clinical Elective Posting in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Singapore

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PHASE 1: Preparation Phase For Clinical Elective Posting in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Singapore

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Lee Jun Jie

A187968

26.07.2024

2. What have you done?

Before my departure, I prepared my luggage, ensuring I had all essential items packed. After checking in for my flights, I gathered and organized all necessary travel documents, including my passport, N95 mask, cash, and medical certificates. I attended the online orientation for my elective posting to understand the procedures and expectations clearly. Subsequently, I made the required payment for the elective posting and completed the MYICA form three days before my flight. On 26/07/2024, I arrived at Changi Airport. Once in Singapore, I familiarized myself with the local transport system to easily navigate my way to the hospital.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

No eating or drinking in the public transport.

I noticed that some seats on the bus are equipped with a USB port for passengers who might want to recharge their mobile phones at any time.

All the plates and trays need to return to the appointed spots after eating.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I am really excited for my upcoming elective posting in Singapore. The chance to learn from top professionals and gain valuable experience in a new medical setting is thrilling.

I’m also looking forward to living in Singapore, known for its modern and clean cityscape. Exploring its advanced facilities and enjoying the well-kept public spaces will be amazing. The combination of a modern infrastructure and a commitment to cleanliness makes me even more eager for this experience.

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

It takes almost 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Khoo Teck Puat Hospital from my house using public transport. Because of this, I need to get ready earlier to ensure I arrive at the hospital on time.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Excited

Worried

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

I will begin my first day of my elective posting at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital by contacting the supervisor assigned to me under the Emergency Surgery Acute Trauma (ESAT) department.

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Phase 1 - Preparation for Clinical Elective Programme in Department of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital Singapore! :D

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Phase 1 - Preparation for Clinical Elective Programme in Department of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital Singapore! :D

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Woong Jia Hui

A190103

13 August 2024

2. What have you done?

I spent this week preparing thoroughly for my elective posting at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore. I'll be joining the Paediatrics Haematology-Oncology team for two weeks.

Before heading overseas, I took time to pack my luggage and gather essential items like my scrubs, lab coat, stethoscope, N95 masks, and safety goggles. I also completed the MyICA application required for entry into Singapore.

While awaiting departure, I studied Paediatrics using the Year 4 Study Guide as my main reference to prepare myself as I have not went through Paediatrics posting in UKM. Four days before my flight, I attended an online orientation organized by the NUS Medicine Electives team for incoming students joining the Clinical Electives Programme for Overseas Visiting Students.

On July 26, 2024, I arrived at Changi Airport with my mother and a friend, who is also doing his electives in Singapore. Fortunately, a relative graciously offered to host me throughout my two-week elective posting, saving me accommodation costs.

Lastly, I took the opportunity to acquaint myself with Singapore's public transport system and visited the hospital a day before starting my elective posting.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

The public transport system in Singapore is very developed compared to Malaysia and people there rely on buses and MRT to get anywhere. It is considered a luxury to own a car as there are many taxes to be paid annually.

Everyone must clean their tables and take their trays to a designated area after finishing their meal to ensure the cleanliness of the eating premises. I think this is something we should learn from the Singaporeans and this act should be practiced by more people in Malaysia.

Singaporeans live a very fast-paced life. Many elderly citizens in their seventies or eighties are hired as cleaners in food courts and even in the airport.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I feel anxious prior to starting my elective posting because I have no experience in Paediatrics. On the other hand, I feel very excited as I have always been interested in this specialty and wish to observe how Singaporean doctors work. I'm eager to immerse myself in a new environment, learn from experienced professionals, and gain hands-on experience in Paediatrics before staring my fourth year in medical school.

Overall, the anticipation of growth and learning outweighs any nervousness, and I'm looking forward to the challenges and experiences that lie ahead.

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

I felt lonely because I was the only person from UKM attaching to KK Hospital and I had no close friends or family with me most of the time, but I took this as an opportunity to become more independent. I also plan to network with my Singaporean colleagues to broaden my horizons and obtain more information about the working environment and  lifestyle there.

The prices of items in Singapore are much more expensive compared to Malaysia so I had to budget wisely and only spend money on necessary items.

I found it difficult to travel around with public transport because I am used to driving everywhere in Malaysia. I realised it took me a lot longer to get everywhere because I spent a lot of time waiting for the correct buses, and public transport can get extremely crowded during peak hours. Luckily, I managed to adapt to the public transport system after a few days and things went smoother.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Fresh start

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Contact my supervisor, Dr. Soh Shui Yen (Head of Paediatrics Haematology-Oncology Unit in KK Hospital) and introduce myself.

Make sure I have enough money in my EZ-Link card to ensure I have enough money at all times while traveling.

Do some research on interesting places to visit in Singapore and discuss with my friends on where we should visit during our free time.

Be open-minded and smile more!

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PHASE 1- Preparation of Clinical Elective Posting in NUH, Department of Surgery (HPB).

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PHASE 1- Preparation of Clinical Elective Posting in NUH, Department of Surgery (HPB).

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1. Your name, matric number, date

NAME: SERENA SEET SU YUIN

MATRIC NUMBER: A189015

DATE:12/8/2024

2. What have you done?

The phase 1 (preparation) of my elective posting began 6 months prior to August. I started researching the things I wish to do for my elective posting. There were so many items on my list like, picking up on a new talent ie. diving or horse riding. I took the time to properly think and decide on my elective of choice. I had a heavy interest in Surgery back then, hence I decided to immerse myself in an environment where I could be exposed to Surgery in its entirety. I then applied for General Surgery in the NUS Clinical Electives Program for Overseas Students and was gladly accepted into all my General Surgery choices (Vascular (NUH), Upper GI (NUH), Surgery In Khoo Teck Puat and Hepato-Pancreato Biliary (HPB) (NUH) ). I then chose HPB (NUH) as my team of choice! This required a lot of decision making and critical thinking. I decided to do what is beneficial for me in the future; that is to get enough experience in the field I choose to specialise in in the future. I started my preparation by preparing all the needed documents ie.

1. Vaccination certificate

2. Passport

3. Letter of good standing from my institution, UKM

4. Letter of Acceptance from NUS

5. Travel insurance, and application.

6. I later on did blood serology tests, mask fitting, and Infection Control Training with a group of friends who were going for the same elective posting.

As the elective posting got nearer, I started reading up on the HPB. I did not want to go in blind. I then packed my luggage. I traveled to Singapore by car 2 days prior to the commencement of the elective posting.

I settled in Singapore by noon. I then took several routes to NUH to determine the most efficient way to get myself to and from the hospital daily.

Prior to the start of my posting, I was emailed with 3 quizzes to complete:

1. A health declaration

2. Data and security governance

3. Cybersecurity.

I was also instructed to attend an online briefing by NUS on the 1st of August 2024 via Zoom. I also contacted my assigned supervisors prior to starting my posting to discuss where and when to meet them!

On the 5th of August 2024, I was mask-fitted once again and received my NUS/NUH identity card.

3. Points to remember from week 1 (Phase 1)!

All in all, I learnt that good planning is indeed rewarding. It made my trip here in Singapore much smoother and more enjoyable. I also learnt that Singapore takes cybersecurity very seriously as all patient’s data are digitalised!

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was indeed very excited to begin my posting here in NUS.I am looking forward to I am very grateful that I've met very helpful people along the way in preparation for the elective posting. Dr. Azura, the Infectious Disease Head Nurse, and Mr. Clarence were of big help to me and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them. I was also intrigued by how big NUH was!

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

Document preparation was rather smooth!

I had some difficulties navigating my way around the hospital at the very beginning. The orientation held around the premises of NUH was rather superficial. Thankfully, I was able to get use to the layout of NUH through asking and looking for signages! I was able to cope with it by exploring NUH a few days earlier too!

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far.

Adventurous

Independence

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

I plan to meet my supervisors for classes scheduled and shadow them as often as possible! Since my posting only spanned 2 weeks, I hope to make the most out of it.

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Phase 1: Prep ! Prep ! Prep ! I'm going to Singaporeeee !!!! 

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Phase 1: Prep ! Prep ! Prep ! I'm going to Singaporeeee !!!! 

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1. Name, Matric number, and date:

Syed Hussein Fathi Bin Syed Mahmud Shahab A185582 - 13/08/2024

2. What have you done:

In this phase of my elective posting, I learnt the importance of preparation, and preparing early. I was lucky to have been given a briefing about doing an elective posting in Singapore by a senior who had done the same last year. Preparation included checking which universities and hospitals allowed for medical electives, getting vaccinated and checking if my antibody levels met the respective hospitals' requirements. I went through various PPE certification courses required by the hospitals I wanted to apply to. These courses included N95 mask fitting, gowning and gloving, as well as basic infection control measures. Being a Singaporean, and having lots of family already staying in Singapore, visa and accommodations were things I didn't need to worry about (thank god). All in all, preparation for the elective posting proved tougher than I expected. But in the end, it was well worth it.

3. Points to remember:

Always prepare EARLY

Ask questions, especially if you know someone has gone through what you need to go through

Explore your options with an open mind

Be patient

Have fun !

4. Your feelings and thoughts:

As I am writing this padlet post having already started my elective posting in NUH, I would say I am beyond happy for the opportunity to be participating in the day-to-day medical activities of one of the most prestigious medical schools in South East Asia.

5. Difficulties:

There were none, by God's grace. Preparing early and asking questions to the right people prevented any unnecessary stress or issues that were avoidable in the first place.

6. 2 word description of this phase: "Controlled Chaos"

7. Plan for next week:

My plan is to enjoy my overseas elective to the fullest. In terms of admin work, all tasks have been completed and the green light has been given by NUH to start my elective posting !

STAY TUNED FOR MY WEEK 1 PADLET POST GUYSS !

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Phase 1 of Clinical Elective Posting with Department of Neurosurgery at National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore

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Phase 1 of Clinical Elective Posting with Department of Neurosurgery at National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Bhelvinder Singh A/L Surinder Singh

Matric Number: A190104

Date: 6/8/2024

2. What have you done?

Firstly, I completed the online registration which includes completing some particulars, reading handbooks and completing quizzes. I also had to attend a short briefing session via Zoom organised by the staff of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Medicine Electives Team.

Besides, I also changed some money to Singaporean currency for later use in Singapore. It was interesting to see that Singapore had a $2 note and their $1 is not in the form of a note but is instead a coin.

I packed my luggage taking care to pack light by bringing essential items only. This is to ensure that I adhere to the designated weight limit imposed on check-in luggage to avoid paying additional fees. I decided to bring along a small backpack which I thought would come in handy for me to keep small items especially when I go sightseeing in Singapore.

Other than that, I packed my passport and submitted the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) 3 days before the day of my arrival as requested to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

In addition, I was also informed through email that the neurosurgeon assigned to be my supervisor for my elective posting at NUH is Dr. Nivedh. I had to contact him via WhatsApp to introduce myself and ask him about the details of our meeting on my first day at NUH.

Before the day of departure, I checked to make sure I have all the necessary travel documents and went to sleep earlier than usual to ensure that I was well-rested for the next day.

On the day of departure, I made sure to arrive 3 hours earlier at Terminal 2 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as suggested by an online article to avoid any delays caused by traffic congestion or the long lines at the airport. Upon arrival, I weighed my luggage to make sure it had not exceeded the designated weight limit. Then, I wrapped my luggage with some plastic film. I also completed the check-in and printed my boarding pass. After that, I checked in my luggage and cleared immigration.

I arrived in Singapore, cleared immigration and collected my luggage. I bought a local SIM card and then headed to the hostel which I had previously booked. I checked into the hostel and was shown to my room where I proceeded to unpack my belongings.

3. Points to remember from phase 1!

The preparations for travelling overseas can be rather complex and overwhelming especially for people doing so for the first time, like myself in this instance. However, thorough and well-planned preparations are vital to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I feel elated at having been given the opportunity to go on this clinical elective which I consider to be a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

I believe that this experience will allow me to obtain more knowledge, gain new experiences, make new friends and brush up my clinical skills. This experience would also provide me with a comprehensive look into the healthcare system in Singapore and give me some early exposure to the field of neurosurgery.

In addition, I also get the chance to take a breather from my medical school journey and visit the wonderful attractions that Singapore has to offer.

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

Since this was the first time I was travelling overseas, I discussed with family members, read online articles and watched videos on the various checkpoints at KLIA as well as the necessary steps that I have to complete to ensure that I will be able to board the flight smoothly and arrive at Changi Airport without a hitch. I also double checked to make sure I have the necessary documents with me.

I was worried that my luggage might exceed the designated weight limit since I did not have a scale at home to weigh my luggage. However, I was able to so at the airport before checking in the luggage and to my relief, the luggage did not exceed the weight limit.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Enthusiastic

Anxious

7. Your plan for next phase (Phase 2)

Attend orientation

Meet supervisor

Visit tourist attractions

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[Phase 1: Preparation] Clinical Elective Posting at the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU), China

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[Phase 1: Preparation] Clinical Elective Posting at the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU), China

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1. Your name, matric number, date.

Koay Hong Xin, A189444, 8 July 2024.

2. What have you done?

In week 1, I focused on making my final preparations before departing to China for my elective posting. This includes liaising with the person in charge (PIC) from SAHZU, China for my orientation and accommodation throughout my attachment over there, packing my luggage, and ensuring I have all the stuff needed in the hospital. As this is my first time travelling alone to another country, I have to familiarise myself with almost everything out there, ranging from small stuff like overseas SIM cards and transportation to important things like required documents and procedures to pass immigration and enter international flights. On 27th June 2024, I flew to Kuala Lumpur from Penang and stayed overnight at the capsule hotel in KLIA 1 as my flight to Hangzhou, China, was at 8 am on the next day. On 28th June, I arrived at Hangzhou safely. Thank god that everything went smoothly and I was brought to my hostel by the PIC from SAHZU. She was so nice and friendly and subsequently, I was added to a group chat with my tutor on WeChat that served as our communication platform.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

⁃ Making preparations beforehand is indeed important as it eases my entire journey from departure to arrival in China.

⁃ Be brave and do not be shy to ask whenever you are alone out there so that you can get the answer you want and won’t get lost easily.

⁃ Taking the first step might seem difficult but once you step out, you will realise that actually, things are not as complicated as we expected. Trust yourself!

4. Your feelings & thoughts.

I felt very excited as it was my first time travelling abroad on my own and a solo trip was something that I had been craving for years. Furthermore, this was my first time having an opportunity to attach to an overseas hospital and I am really looking forward to this exposure. All these excitement eventually drove me to full motivation and commitment in doing my preparation for the visit. However, I did feel insecure occasionally throughout the way as this was my first time travelling alone and I had to be independent enough to deal with the entire process on my own without any previous experience. Things that worried me the most were embarking on an international plane, and passing immigration and security checks as I did not have the chance to do it alone before. However, I understand that this is the process of growth and I truly enjoy this opportunity of growing as a real adult.

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

As mentioned above, since this was my first time travelling abroad alone, I had to prepare for all aspects of this journey on my own. In making preparations, there was certain information that I was not able to obtain online, especially some small pieces of information that were not commonly available e.g., the availability of a SIM card retail store in the airport terminal that I will be landing. Fortunately, I managed to deal with these by asking some of my friends in China and finding a proper way to obtain more detailed information via the Internet. Besides, there were instances when I was confused after being bombarded with different information from different online sources on the same topic. These were the times when I applied my critical thinking skills to analyse, compare, and subsequently made my final decision on trusting information from sources that were reliable.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far.

Exciting and happy.

7. Your plan for next week. (Week 2)

Make sure that I familiarise myself with the hospital and do not be shy in asking questions to clear our doubts. Take the chance to ask questions and learn from doctors in China.

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Preparation for EP at National University Hospital (NUH)!

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Preparation for EP at National University Hospital (NUH)!

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Seenivasan Aparrna

Matric No.: A185410

Date: 28 July 2024

2. What have you done?

The preparation for the elective posting was a 6 month haul. There were quite a number of documents to prepare, some of which took some time. Singapore had some stringent requirements in place, such as infection control certification, mask fitting, vaccinations etc. These were put in place so that we students are well prepared if and when another outbreak arises. Some patience and guidance from seniors who have undergone the same process helped ease the process.

After preparing and submitting the necessary documents, it was a long wait before the offer came in. I was immensely relieved when I finally received the offer.

I left for Singapore as soon as the exams for my final posting ended. From the time I reached Singapore, I had around a month before the posting began. Thus I started spending some time each day revisiting my notes from the Surgery posting, as I did not want to have forgotten all that I had learnt by the time the posting started. Around a week before the start of my elective, I received an email from NUH with important information regarding the posting. Furthermore, I had to complete some quizzes on patient data protection as well as general safety measures in NUH. An online meeting was also held a few days before the posting to reiterate important information and to clarify any doubts we had.

The preparation process, although long, was a good experience by itself.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Plan ahead of time and plan every course of your action

Always be prepared for setbacks and bounce back!

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was initially stressed as the process was getting delayed at every stage, and nothing was under my control. However, I understood that that is the very reason why I do not have to stress myself over the delay. I remained hopeful and eventually everything fell into place.

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

The delay during each stage of the document preparation process was concerning. To cope with that concern, I told myself that I cannot change anything that is not under my control. I reassured myself and trusted the process.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Suspenseful yet hopeful

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

I hope to broaden my knowledge on pediatric surgery and make the most out of this opportunity!

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Clinical Elective at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China

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Clinical Elective at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Lai Kam Hoong

Matric Number: A189642

Date: 8 July 2024

2. What have you done?

On July 1st, I began my elective posting at PUMCH. I received a warm welcome from the staff in the Department of Education, who briefed us on the hospital's history, facilities, and departments. They also gave us a tour along with other exchange students. Following the orientation, I met my supervisor and started my elective in the Department of General Surgery, specifically assigned to the thyroid and pancreatic team. During the first week, I attended my supervisor's clinic and observed a variety of thyroid and pancreatic cases. Every morning, I participated in our team handovers and ward rounds. I also had the opportunity to attend family meetings, where the doctor explained the risks and procedures of upcoming surgeries to patients and their families to obtain informed consent. (For complicated surgery, the meeting even requires the presence of a lawyer and notary public). This week, our team primarily focused on thyroid surgeries. I observed several procedures, such as open total thyroidectomy and open hemithyroidectomy. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to scrub in and assist in 2 thyroid surgeries. I deeply appreciated the opportunity as it was my first experience in an operating theatre. Additionally, I received a book containing a collection of exemplary case histories written by the doctors from PUMCH. I also shadowed a resident doctor, learned how they clerk a patient, and learned their way of writing patient admission history in the system.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Always be prepared for any shortcomings. Keep calm, don’t panic and think of the best solution.

Don’t be shy to ask around when we are unsure of something. Be brave and step out of our comfort zone and talk to the strangers whenever we need help.

Being yourself comfortably is very helpful in the early stages of getting to know each other.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

Undertaking my elective abroad has been a dream come true. I feel a deep sense of fulfilment every time I finish a day at the hospital. The positive vibes and relaxed working environment make it an incredibly enjoyable experience. At the same time, I also recognize that there is always so much to learn. During my first time scrubbing in and assisting in a surgery, I felt a mix of cluelessness and nervousness. However, the doctors here are very kind and patient. They took the time to teach me how to properly wash my hands, the correct way to gown, and the sterile principle during surgery. I am truly grateful for all the kindness and assistance I've received from everyone I've met here.

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

One of the challenges I faced was navigating the hospital. The hospital compound is quite large with many entrances, and I have a poor sense of direction. On my first day, I got lost and couldn't find the place to register myself. Fortunately, I seek help and ask people and staff around the hospital. I try to recognise and pay attention to the signboards to avoid getting lost again.

Another difficulty that I faced is understanding Chinese medical terminology. The hospital in China primarily uses Chinese for patient histories and communication. Although I can communicate in Mandarin, I had never learned medical terminology in Chinese. I explained my situation to the drs and they are aware of this.  Since then, they are helpful and translating and explaining the medical terms in English to me. They even lent me a Chinese medical book to help improve my understanding.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Fulfilling

Exciting

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Interact more with the doctors and medical students from China and make new friends.

Learn more about the common thyroid and pancreatic diseases in China.

Gain more hands-on experience with procedures in the ward and operating theatre.

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Preparation to have clinical elective posting at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), Singapore  

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Preparation to have clinical elective posting at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), Singapore  

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Yong Zong Sheng

Matric Number: A185595

Date: 4/8/24

2. What have you done?

A week before I started my elective posting in Singapore, I made a long list of the items that should be brought to Singapore. I began to pack my clothes and other needed items into the luggage. For those insufficient items, I bought them on the same day and packed them into my luggage. I brought a few sets of scrubs and formal shirts because I was not sure what clothes I was allowed to wear in the hospital. Then I also brought my formal shoes just in case I needed to wear them. My own preference was sports shoes.

On the 3rd day of the week, I attended a short briefing given by the hospital (KTPH). In the meeting, they checked our identities and told us the rules and regulations that we must obey. Then after that, I received the details for my elective posting such as who was my supervisor, the contact number of my supervisor, the medical student's administration handbook, and the letter of personal undertaking on confidentiality. I have spent some time reading through the handbook and got to know more details about the rules and regulations. I found out that patient confidentiality was very vital in Singapore. As an overseas medical student, I did not have an account to access electronic medical records. There were plenty of rules and regulations that I needed to follow.

On the 4th day of the week, I visited Singapore with my cousin to understand the way of taking the bus into Singapore. I also bring along my luggage to my relative’s house to check in at my relative’s house. During the day in Singapore, I learned how to take the bus MRT and the surroundings of the accommodation. After that, I bought an EZ link card for taking the MRT and the bus. I also bought a Singapore SIM card for access to the data. With the data and Google map, I could easily travel around Singapore

Last but not least, a few weeks before my elective posting, I started to revise the surgical knowledge that I had learned during the surgery posting. I wanted to make sure that I had some knowledge before I started my attachment. At the same time, I also planned with Jun Jie and Jia Hui for the trips in Singapore during the weekend.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Before anything else, preparation and planning are the keys to success. Lack of planning is the cause of most failure. Hence, for this elective posting, I have prepared a lot to ensure everything is going smoothly.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

To be honest, I was quite excited about the upcoming attachment but at the same time, I also worried about it too. I would like to explain in detail for both in question number 4 and 5

For the exciting parts, I thought this elective posting period was a great opportunity for me to understand the medical system in Singapore and able to get in touch with the medical students and medical doctors in Singapore. With this, I was able to broaden my social networking. I was looking forward to having a deep conversation with them in order to understand how their life in Singapore and seek their opinion about the pros and cons of the system in Singapore. Moreover, I could have a chance to learn from different supervisors and observe how they deal with the patients as well as able to observe more surgical procedures that I have never observed in UKM during my surgical posting.

Since I was assigned to the Emergency Surgery and Trauma (ESAT) team I could expose myself early to the emergency department before I enter year 4. I hoped that I would be able to observe how they managed the patients immediately after they received the patients. If the patient was in severe condition, how could they react quickly to ensure the patient’s life could be preserved. I knew that the emergency department was not a place for me to learn the clerking skills, but it was the place for me to rule out the differential as soon as possible. I wonder how they could react so quickly and how they could catch up on the key points to lead them to the correct diagnosis. This was the skill that I wanted to observe and wanted to learn with them. I knew that I would be very stressed, but life was always filled with challenges. I believe that I would get a lot of benefits and different opinions after this elective posting. Every challenge comes with rainbows after you conquer it.

Last but not least, I could go around the tourist attraction points during the weekends with my friends. We could go to Merlion Park, Universal Studio, Sea Aquarium, walk around the NUS campus, and others. I also could take this opportunity to meet up with friends who studied in Singapore.

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

This was my first experience going overseas without my parents. To be honest, I was quite worried about whether I was able to cope with it or not, but this was a good time to learn independently and settle the problems by myself if I really faced them. Even though Singapore was just next to Malaysia, I believe that there might be some differences. No matter what I always motivated myself that nothing to be worried about as long as I was able to communicate in English. If I did not know anything, I could just ask the people around me or just ask the Mr Google.

The second thing that I worried about was my preparation for items and medical knowledge was not enough. If I lack any items, I might need to buy them in Singapore. This would be very expensive.  The way for me to cope with this was by making a long list of items and considering every situation. After I packed my luggage, I double-checked the items inside the bag to ensure the items that I bought were correct and enough.

In terms of knowledge, I was afraid that the knowledge that learned in year 3 was not enough for me to cope with the tense environment in Singapore. In my mind, I always reminded myself that I was representing my university, UKM, and my nation, Malaysia. I did not want anyone to look down on my nation and university. I wanted to leave a good image to them so that in the future they still willing to accept UKM students for the elective programme. Due to this reason, for the past few weeks, I started to revise some of my surgical knowledge and learned some first aid skills online.

Last but not least, I was worried about clerking the patients in the hospital. Why did I say so because I was afraid that the words that I used were not appropriate. This may cause me to receive some complaints from the patients. If this incident really happened, I worried that the authorities would terminate my elective program and might bring some bad images to UKM. Due to this concern, I talked with my cousins who worked in Singapore for more than 5 years about this issue. They asked me not to worry too much and just clerk the patients as usual as I clerked in Malaysia. They told me that no difference between patients in Singapore and Malaysia. If the patients were not willing to talk with me, then I just changed to the other patients. They also advised me not to overthink about this issue. The more I thought the more worried I would get. I really appreciate their advice.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Excited

Worry

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

I plan to become a sponge to absorb more medical knowledge from my supervisor in Singapore as much as possible. I will grab this opportunity to do more hands-on if possible. At the same time, I will motivate myself to study smart and make more friends in Singapore. I will try to balance my study time and playing time in Singapore. I definitely will take this opportunity to walk around Singapore. Moreover, I will set some goals for me to achieve during the elective posing. I hope I can achieve them. One of them is I hope that I can have the chance to encounter some rare cases or maybe trauma cases that I have never observed before in HUKM. I will work hard to cope with any challenges in Singapore but at the same time I will enjoy my life too.

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Clinical Elective Surgical Posting at National University Hospital (NUH) Singapore Week 1

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Clinical Elective Surgical Posting at National University Hospital (NUH) Singapore Week 1

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: V N Nuvaira Tasneem

Matric Number: A185408

Date: 28 June 2024

2. What have you done?

This week went by quite smoothly as I shadowed my supervisor either at the hernia clinic or at the OT though there were some hiccups. It was quite difficult to adapt to the new hospital setting at first, however with the help of the medical students who were also placed under the Hernia team and also doctors walking around, I managed to get to the right place and follow ward rounds.

My first day went by at the clinic as I shadowed my supervisor, who is a hernia specialist, as he attended to different patients with different types of hernia presentations. From direct, indirect inguinal hernia, to umbilical hernia to incisional hernia, I managed to see a variety of hernia presentations. I also had the chance to palpate some of the patients to find the defect in the abdominal wall and feel for a cough impulse under the supervision of my doctor. This allowed me to brush up on my basic knowledge I learnt during Surgery posting such as history taking and steps to performing a proper hernia examination. I also managed to observe the way my doctor communicated with his patients and family members. He always made sure to have proper eye contact with his post-op patients and always included their family members in the conversation.

Subsequently, I had the chance to enter into OT and observe multiple hernia repair surgical procedures being done on patients. From open mesh repair of right inguinal hernia to laparoscopic repair, it was quite fascinating how the surgeons relentlessly worked together as a team to make their patients’ lives better.

While being part of the Hernia team, I also made friends with the third year medical students of NUS and got to know more about the medical curriculum in Singapore. During ward rounds, I followed Zhenyi, one of the third year students, to the ward as we both helped to prepare a tray of essential wound dressing materials before ward round. I felt inspired by Zhenyi, that as a medical student, in addition to following ward rounds, we can also take initiative to help the doctors with small tasks which is also good practical learning before becoming a houseman.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Never be afraid to ask for help

Never forget your basics and keep revising

Be proactive

4. Your feelings & thoughts

Elated: able to learn a lot through the clinic sessions and OT experiences

Disheartened: keep getting lost around the hospital (hopefully things get better next week)

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

Firstly, I found it quite challenging to adapt to the new hospital setting. After being used to getting around HUKM, being put in a totally different hospital which I was not familiar with, was very challenging. It was hard navigating around the hospital especially when my supervisor would ask me to report at certain places and I had to ask the doctors and medical students who were walking around for help. Fortunately, all of the people I approached for help were kind enough to give me directions to the right place which made my life much easier at NUH. However, there were times in which I would report late for ward rounds as I lost my way but my supervisor was very understanding.

Secondly, I had to be independent in my learning and had to seek learning opportunities on my own. Most of the time, my supervisor would be very busy during ward rounds and attending to patients hence he did not have much time to be teaching me personally. I was initially quite clueless as to how to make most of my elective posting, however as time went by, I managed to get the hang of it. My daily routine everyday would be to join ward rounds in the morning and follow my supervisor for the rest of the day. I would often read up on the cases before attending ward rounds to gain a better understanding of the patients and also do some research about the surgery procedure before entering the OT. This came in useful as I was able to ask questions based on my reading to my supervisor.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Exciting

Challenging

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

To attend more OT sessions

Gain some hands-on experiences at the OT

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Clinical Elective Posting: Professional Exchange Program (SCOPE) at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohammed VI, Oujda, Morocco

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Clinical Elective Posting: Professional Exchange Program (SCOPE) at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohammed VI, Oujda, Morocco

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Name: Teng Zhi Qi

Matrics Number: A188948

Date: 9 July 2024

2) What have you done?

I arrive at Oujda, Morocco at the 28th of June 2024, which is a few days before my clinical clerkship started. I was picked up by the local committees of IFMSA Morocco (Oujda) and they brought me around in a car and introduced the city of Oujda. Checked in at the students apartment and settled down. I was the first exchange student to arrive in Oujda and throughout the next few days, other exchange students settled in as well. 1 July 2024, first day of clerkship. I was brought to Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohammed VI, Oujda, and was introduced to one of the Professor in Traumatology Department, I was assigned to a team of resident doctors and they brought me around the hospital. Knowing where is the consultation room, operation theater as well as the emergency department, I was prepared to begin my clerkship. For the rest of the week, I attended clerkship from 8am till 12pm. I've got the chance to observe a few interesting procedures, including wound management for infected wounds, bandage replacement, and consultation sessions. Other than activities in the hospital, the local committees utilize the time we have after the clerkship to organize various social programs including cafe hopping, padel night (a type of sport), and small gatherings. They even organized a trip to a nearby beach town called Saidia to enjoy the weekend by the beach. A very fun and fulfilling first week.

3) Points to Remember (Week 1)

Local language spoken: Arab and French

Language used in medical setting: French

People here greet each other by touching faces left and right or shaking hands

Moroccans LOVE their culture and history

Each city has sort of a different "colour code", for example most buildings in Oujda are painted beige, in another town called Chefchaouen, buildings are painted blue etc

Medical supplies such as soap and local anesthesia is limited in the hospital, and they are trying to make a change to the situation

Medical students study for 7 years (including their internship), but recently their government wanted to shorter it into 6 years, which causes dissatisfaction among medical students affected by the new policy proposed. Thus, an open ended strike has been going on for approximately 7 months (started on December 2023) and Y1 to Y5 students all around Morocco (not just Oujda) is not attending classes until heir government do something about it.

A strike among healthcare workers (doctors, nurses etc.) will be starting next week as well, in hope to improve the working environment.

4) Feelings and Thoughts + 5) Difficulties / Concerns

Happy and Glad: The committees and exchange students are very friendly and open minded, a lot of new knowledge and perspective has been acquired through chatting with them.

A little homesick: It didnt occur to me until the middle of this week, when i realised how far i an from my home country (11,533km), as much as i love the food here i cant help but to miss eating rice hahahha (main carbs used here is the bread). But the other exchange students here who are more experienced in joining exchanges are really nice and they assure me that everyone feels that way during their firste exchange. I was glad to be able to know them through this exchange.

Confused: Sometimes i feel kinda confused in the hospital, firstly its because its an all new environment, second, 95 percent of patients don't speak English at all, even most of the healthcare workers don't speak English fluently, thus situation can be kind of confusing at times. But luckily, i met a really nice 6th year medical student who guided me and translate important information to me. Hopefully everything gets better next week.

6) 2 words to describe elective progress so far

New

Fun

7) Plan for week 2

Mix more and try to interact more with the doctors as well as medical students in the hospital

Learn some basic Arabic / French words used here

Discover more of local delicacies such as Tagine, Cous Cous

Prepare for the National Food and Drinks Party (NFDP), where incomings and local committees will prepare food that they usually eat to share it with everyone