“Even So, I Am Still Keen to Continue Placements…”
Humans of Medicine #8
A Covid-19 tribute to our heroes on the frontlines.
“With statistics regarding the coronavirus pandemic filling the headlines daily, walking into the emergency department during these times can be daunting.
I'm currently a final year medical student on my ED placement in New South Wales, Australia. In a week, I'd be at the hospital for five days, usually on evening shifts between 2 in the afternoon till late night at 10.
My main role is to assist doctors in assessing non-critical or infectious patients. I take histories, do necessary examinations, and work out management plans with the attending doctor. I hope that this can free up some of the workloads of more senior staff to evaluate more complex patients, and if need be, for them to assess and care for patients who might be infected with Covid-19.
In my hospital, there are measures in place to protect us. There is a clear pathway implemented where patients are directed to a fever clinic during business hours if they present with symptoms suggestive of Covid-19. For a patient who presents after hours, they would be seen in a specific isolation room within the ED.
For us, as medical students on placements, we were advised not to see any patients with a positive Covid-19 test result, or any patients with suspected Covid-19 infection.
For medical professionals treating patients with suspected Covid-19, they would be provided with full PPE protection, including N95 masks, whereas for the rest of us, we have all started wearing surgical masks.
Recently, the screening measures have also expanded to include the hospital staff as well. We now all have our temperatures measured before entering the ED.
While hospital management has ensured adequate measures are in place, the lingering fear of getting the virus is still there. Even so, I am still keen to continue placements and help in whatever way I can. My main motivation is to get the most out of what is available considering the current situation.
A few days ago, I filled up an expression of interest form for medical students to be recruited as an “Assistant in Medicine” – a paid, part-time role created in the face of this pandemic. We will not be directly involved in treating critical Covid-19 patients, but my understanding of this role is to alleviate the pressure on the healthcare system caused by this pandemic.
A couple of us are currently waiting to hear back. However, I really hope we don’t need to be called up for this role. To be called would indicate that the situation is unmanageable, and the healthcare system is overwhelmed.
Our clinical schools are running workshops, both online and in-person, to give us a crash course on intern-level knowledge. With a constantly evolving situation, I would say that being prepared is good. As cliché as it may sound, medicine is a constant learning experience. We will have to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of health, especially in these situations.
I would like to send well wishes to all those on the frontlines. Also, I hope Malaysians at home and abroad stay home and stay safe. We will get through this together.”
(This article is an anonymous contribution. Edited by Low Wen Yan and Jasmine Wong. Consent has been obtained for the purpose of this publication.)
Humans of Medicine is a new initiative under MMI. We tell inspiring stories behind portrait shots of our everyday unsung heroes. Curated by Malaysian medical students from home and abroad.
If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to us at admin@malaysianmedics.org.
