Importance of Identity

Today is my 4th day of tagging in Ortho. I woke up earlier today so I can review more patients. Not because I wanna do more... It's because I'm too slow in reviewing patients. It's a silent day for ortho ward today, there's just 2-3 referral cases in other wards. I only went to see a new born baby with query Erb's palsy and spent most of my time copying and writing my homework... YES! we do have homework though we are working. I'd to write out all the case and progress of all patients in ward and I'm going to get OA for my right metacarpal joints.

There's nothing much to do in ortho ward today, unlike Susan who was rushing here n there in the ward opposite of mine. While I was happily watching the clock to strike to 9pm, there's a new admission from A&E. An Indian lady sustained bilateral forearm fracture on a motor-vehicle accident. After reading her x-ray, 2 HOs and I approached her. She was apparently surrounded by a 'kampung' of relatives who are concerned on her condition.

Without further delay, I started to talk to her and asked her a few questions regarding how she get involved in the MVA. Then suddenly a lady (I supposed she's her mum) stop her from answering my questions. The 'mum' questioned me rudely:" Who are you? Why are you taking report? Who are you representing????"

My colleagues and I were shocked and staring at her. Why were these questions were questioned to us? We're wearing white coats and it's very obvious that who we are. Then I answered her:" I'm a doctor. Oh! Sorry, three of us are doctors. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself." Then I reintroduce myself and continue with my clerking.

For my UKM juniors out there, please remember your PPD. I'm so sorry to my fellow lecturers who thought us how to be professional. Now I understand how important it is for me to remember to introduce myself. Well, after all, I still feel weird when people add the title in front of my name...

grills = zoo?

Today is my 3rd day of tagging in Orthopaedics ward. I could say Ortho ward is quite relaxing, compare to the medical and surgical which my other friends were there. While FKC and I were happily sitting in front of the counter copying our homework, there's a new case in Ward 4. Hence we follow the on call HOs to see the patient.

He's a prisoner, so there'l be a policeman looking after him. Finally I saw the real 'gari'. It's really SHINNY!! I wonder if they polish it everyday. Well, we were attending the case and the room was so so so so so hot! While I was doing pin-prick on him with an orange stick, the officer became shocked! because I was pricking him with something sharp... Well, I think the officer don't want him to sustain any injury and ended up both the officer and I will be on the newspaper for 'injuring' the prisoner.

After finish examining him, we went out and document our findings. Then there's a 'zoo-phenomena' whereby all the visitors stop by the room and start discussing bout the room with grill and the person inside... typical Malaysian which flood the ward by assuming my patient is an animal or alien... Well, what can I do? The officer didn't chase the 'zoo-visitors' away, I cant close the door of the room as it's not ventilated by even a small fan... I wouldn't want both the officer and my patient get suffocated. And the worst thing is, it's visiting time, you can't chase them out from the ward.... respect & dignity...