Category Archives: All in a days work

as a medical officer

The team is down by 3..

Posted in All in a days work by

“you might want to decide fast. We live in a dangerous world. If you see a chance to be happy, you have to fight for it, so later you have no regrets.” 
― Ilona Andrews, Magic Bleeds

So they say, ” the grass is greener on the other side”

In 2014 itself, I see a few transfer requests and resignation letters already handed in to the hospital director. Some say

“its just time to leave”

others say “I want to make more money”

What was more important to me was seeing how happy they were after they made the decision to leave. I couldn’t imagine myself leaving ones comfort zone for something new. That needs you to explore again, forge new relationships and such. Perhaps this is what they meant by chasing their dreams and to make sacrifices in between.

Yes, we make sacrifices so we could gain something MORE out of the bloody, sticky situation. An end gain they say. If you’re still stuck in the horrible situation and not getting anywhere with it, its not called a sacrifice and dont let any hospital director tell you likewise,because then its just anew form of slavery. Working your butt off for long hours only to have your annual leave denied et cetera.

This month alone, 3 smart brains are leaving. And these are senior medical officers that we usually consult and turn to when we have a sherlock dilemma. Their motivation to leave was to experience that greener grass at the other side of the field. I honestly wish them all the best and hope they get what their heart yearns for.

As of now, I am content in being a possible chronic MO as I find Anaesthesia no longer the R.O.A.D to happiness that my intensivist once described it to be.

R – Radiology

O – Opthalmology

A – Anaesthesia

D – Dermatology

Love,

th_coffee

The old, lonely road

Posted in All in a days work by

“Seven Ages: first puking and mewling
Then very pissed-off with your schooling
Then fucks, and then fights
Next judging chaps’ rights
Then sitting in slippers: then drooling.” 
― Robert Conquest

Once in a while we chance upon an elderly patient with a sad story. 

He who has neurofibromatosis and lives alone till old as no one wants to marry him because of his appearance.

He who was an ex addict and now is paying his penance by living in isolation as his own family members think HIV is contagious from a simple touch.

She who losts her husband in an accident and refuses to leave the house she’s staying in because of the memories it stores throughout their married life.

She who bore 10 children and yet not even one turned out to be someone of great use.

Them who couldn’t have children since the early days and the only adopted child they had,  passed away earlier.

Them who depends on the charity of others to live because the world just moves faster than them. And they don’t know how to ask for help.

Of pulling ones own weight

Posted in All in a days work by

 

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” 
― Helen Keller

 

A New Year is synonym to CHANGE or IMPROVEMENTS. Most people make resolutions – all in the name of becoming a better person as a whole. At an organization level, the same thing applies.

Recently we had an informal meeting with our leader and as he reinforced ‘new rules’ that were to be made regarding the common practices within the unit, I couldn’t help noticing a few individuals scoffing and exchanging quiet, meaningful glances at each other. I seem to be able to read their minds.

“It won’t work”

“It has been done before. In a few days.. people will forget about it”

Sad enough these are the people who could actually make the changes take place if they would just give it another try and be CONSISTENT. Even Tony Robbins would agree.

I like to believe that if everyone pulls on their weight, the better good can have an effect on the current common practice. I like to believe that old dogs can be taught new tricks. I like to believe that as a healthcare provider, we are doing this because we care for our patients. Even though they themselves don’t give a damn of how bad their diabetic control is.

 

Being Oncall. Part of the responsibility really.. like it or not. Yet hygiene and beauty is a must. My oncall bag – part 2

Posted in All in a days work by

.. Now its time to have a sneak peek into my toiletries bag for oncall.

20140115_130724-001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. SKII Facial Treatment Cleansing Gel – this is part of my most expensive hygiene products I have on my vanity. The SKII product. I also have the Pitera Miracle Water Essence. But its not something that I would bring to work.
  2. Sleeping eye cover – just in case I have to leave the room lights on after a dose of horror stories of ghost that haunts the hospital.
  3. INTIMATE pantyliners. I have been getting them in boxes lately as I find them very comfortable to wear. No need to wear double.
  4. Face mask from SASA. On a good postcall day, if my colleagues allow me an hour rest.. I’d do a mini facial early morning before I meet the public again for another round of work.
  5. Face cottons and cotton buds
  6. Mini toothpaste
  7. Toothbrush
  8. The red pouch to hold it all in
  9. REXONA deodorant to freshen up
  10. Contact lense multipurpose solution and case
  11. Mini shower gel and hair shampoo – although I rarely shampoo during oncall.
  12. CLINELLE Eye Bright – helps to reduce eye bags, dark circles and fine lines
  13. CLINELLE purifying toner – a satisfying substitute for SKII Treatment Essence
  14. ELLGY Corns & Warts treatment solution  – key is persistence they say

 

Yup, enough hygiene for a medical doctor to wade through her day.

 

 

Being Oncall. Part of the responsibility really.. like it or not. Yet hygiene and beauty is a must. My oncall bag – part 1

Posted in All in a days work by

“To the world you may be one person, but to  one person you may be the world”

– Dr Seuss

Honest be told. Doctors are not paid a lot to be oncall. But we still do it as its part of the job description. On a good call, you’d have fun colleagues to work with, interesting cases to heal, time to eat, pray and rest and no patients die. On a bad call, you get the opposite of the above.

We’re not paid much but we are expected to work like robots for the whole night and again expected to function the day after till at best 12 pm, at worst 5 pm or longer. But we still love it, cause we love medicine and our patients. For now. Hehe.

Hence, with the expectation that I always get busy nights, translating into minimal amount of rest,I normally don’t bring an extra change of clothes for the night since I know I wouldn’t have time for an evening shower anyway. Instead, just bring a fresh pair of clothes for the next working day where I’m expected to have a morning bath prior to resuming my duties for the new day.

So I bring the minimum essentials for my call.

oncall bag

Continue reading →