Houseman

The first week of houseman ship passed, starting in oncology ward is simply wonderful.

Some may reckon oncology as a team full of tears and sadness, yes I agree most of the in-patient care centres on palliative (aim not for cure) work, but still most of the patients here are still striving to live, coping quite well with their cancer cells - firm and strong.

For all these years, I was once stereotyped that a doctor's job was to CURE. But soon I finally realise, in fact, most of the time cure is never an option (even for simple disease like hypertension and diabetes, let alone cancer). On the other hand, when a patient's heart can be HEALED despite dying with an incurable disease.

Seriously speaking being an intern I am more a clerk than a doctor engaging in in-depth patient management. Most of my time was spent in clerical work, sitting in front of the comp, collect the printout, setting drips, taking blood, and walking here and there to book radiological investigations.

Still so, the edge of an houseman is that I am the man-in-the-house. Busy am I, but I spent most of my time in a single ward, it gave us plenty opportunities to talk and chitchat with my patients. Soon after a week, when I got to know more about them, doctor-patient relationship gradually turns less authoratative. We start to chat on hospital's food, our hobbies and even girlfriends. Its a pretty amazing experience - something the doctor-patient communication skill modules can never materialize. Haha.

Strive on, houseman!