Working in Malaysia can be quite an experience for those who have never worked in Malaysia. I had my first CULTURE SHOCK in Malaysia-not in Ireland. I was shocked to learn that I had to work for almost 14 hours a day; I was dumbfounded when I heard that that I would have to do three times a day round on my own, and on top of that, I would have to follow my MO to go on rounds.. the Q is, when do I get to do the ward job? Plenty of documentation here-it is important alright but how many times do you need to review your patients?? Nothing is going to happen if you do not carry out the ward job?! Reviewing the same patients with no new results will not make any difference either.

There are about 18 of us housemans working under Obs and Gynae Department in Likas Hospital. Each of us will be assigned to a place for a week or two depending on our seniority:

• Patient Assessment Centre: This place is equivalent to Casualty-8 beds in total-we see all sort of obstetric patients here-those in labour, those whose complaints include leaking liquor, preterm contraction, preterm labour, breech in labour, twins in labour, reduced fetal movement, postdates for IOL, placenta praevia-bleeding or stable, PIH, preeclampsia etc-3 housemans here
• Obstetric Ward (K1 and K2): Each ward can accommodate at least 50 patients each-15 acute beds and the rest are normal beds-3 housemans on each ward
• High Dependency Unit: The most senior Houseman will be assigned to look after the almost dead patients
• Oncology Ward: It is obvious.. Oncology patients-2 housemans here
• Gynae Ward: THE WORST ward ever-those who are assigned here need to start their rounds at 5.00am so that all patients will be reviewed by the time the specialist do his round at 7.00 in the morning. Madness! - 2 housemans ONLY
  
• Clinic: You have to review mothers in Rooming in (Those mothers who are allowed home but had to stay because their babies are not well enough to return home) and then attend patients in the Clinic..2 housemans
  
• Labour ROOM: The most important place-where you need to monitor both mother and fetus- 2 housemans
• OT: 2 housemans to assist Gynae and Maternity OT..
  

Madness right?

We do work over the weekend-those who are assigned to look after patients in the wards.. We have to do Every Other Day calls-EOD calls you call it. I had to do mine-ten in a row- Wed, Fri, Sun, Tues, Thurs, Sat, Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun! I was so exhausted by the end of my tenth EOD and I had to assist the most obsessive specialist that morning! I almost fell asleep in the theatre!

I was given day off on Christmas Day and New Year's Day-but I spent those two days in bed-recuperating. I got my weekend off this week so I made plans with my colleague to go out for a dinner and the movie-and we did. Saw The Game-Chick Flick sort of thing.. The Rock was active. Not too bad but I would not watch it again-that sort of movie.

Alright.. I thought I should write something.. the blog is almost dead by now.. Annie, KJ, Fla and Clifford.. Come on people.. update please! Stay in touch... Stace and Sumi are more than welcome to post too!