inspired

The more I’ve been exposed to General Practice and hospital work, the more I’m inclined towards going into GP in the future. Now don’t be so quick to judge – I know a lot of people have a disdain towards GP and I have to admit I had the same thoughts previously, but having done 5 GP placements now in 3 years, with 4 out of 5 placements being incredibly positive, I’ve developed a certain respect for GPs and fallen in love with what the career has to offer (and it is WAY more than money!).

My current GP in 5^th year is SO amazing that it’s the first time I’ve actually felt like a proper doctor. I’ve had my own consultations in previous GP placements before, but being in final year they’ve actually blocked out appointments for me as I am allowed to independently run my own consultations for the whole month. I manage patients and make my own decisions (with approval from whichever doctor is tutoring me that day of course), and the doctors actually take my opinions into account during lunchtime meetings and patient discussions! The other staff members are equally wonderful – they talk and joke with me like I’ve been there for ages. I’m being taken care of so well at the practice, like today when I had a migraine and they were all so concerned about me. The patients have done nothing but sing praises of me, complimenting my English (I know I should feel patronised, but I don’t because I don’t blame them!) and telling the doctors after that they actually enjoy my consultations and that I get along very well with them. The doctors themselves constantly encourage me by assuring me that I’m doing well and am on the right track, and telling me how they appreciate my efficiency in doing work (I think it all stems from my fast typing HAHA). I’ve never felt so confident in medicine before.

I bet by now you must be thinking, “Of course you feel confident, GP is so easy, just coughs and colds.” And while I hate to admit that I have seen my fair share of chest infections especially now that winter is well on its way, I’ve actually referred a patient for acute appendicitis, suspected an osteoporotic crush fracture, managed a patient with a severe asthma attack who just refused to go to hospital and seen a boy with Kawasaki’s disease and a young lady with carcinoid syndrome, among many other things. I feel like I’ve gained so much in just 2 weeks.

Although there are 5 doctors at this practice, I am mainly tutored by 2 of them, both whom I absolutely love – they’re both in their 50’s but they look like they’re in their early 40’s, seriously. They are so good with their patients and have impeccable medical knowledge, and you can clearly see that they enjoy their work and life in general. The male GP loves talking to me about music (he plays the piano and the cello, and I the piano and the violin) and sports (he knows that I swim and play tennis – so does he – and he always tells me about his tennis/table tennis tournaments!), while the lady GP and I mainly talk about travel, shopping and food. At 50 I think she looks amazing and I admire her outfits and handbags! Very cool. Hehe.

Now that I’m almost done with medical school I’ve been thinking about what I want out of medicine and what I want in life. I’m not sure if I’d want to slave myself in hospital as a medical reg (which is currently my top option) where I have to work long hours and have minimal time with family, but at the same time I do love general internal medicine and a lot of the cases you deal with in hospital are somewhat more... substantial? GP, on the other hand, is so much more relaxing and flexible, and the rapport and relationships with patients are so much more meaningful. And there’s no stress of actually BEING in hospital and running around like a mad dog answering to everyone. I think ultimately I want to have a nice life while I raise a family.

I don’t know. I guess I will have to wait and see whatever comes my way after foundation years! After all, whatever will be will be. If I were to be a physician I can definitely go back to Malaysia without worrying. If I were to be a GP, I think I'll pursue a special interest with it, like gynae or derm. What I need to do now, though, is to pass and graduate next year!

PS: Notice this whole entry has proper sentences – capital letters and all? Hahaha. That’s because I’ve typed it on MS Word! Looks strange doesn't it.

hi kuantan!

just curious but who's from kuantan who's been visiting my blog? say hello on my tagboard!

dream on!

as years go by i realise the things that i want are becoming more out of grasp, especially since my parents have already dumped whatever's left of my education fund with me (which isn't a lot, really) and have since bade farewell to being my financial supporters.

yet my wishlist seems to be expanding with ridiculous desires - things that i can definitely live without but would absolutely LOVE to have. the burberry trench has been on this list for ages, and many a time i've come SO close to buying one - but because i actually have more discipline than anyone expects me to have, that thought is still on hold. i'm getting a UK driver's license real soon, which, of course, upon obtaining it, will entice me into getting myself a car (how i'm going to afford a car any time soon is a huge mystery). then i've been thinking about graduation next year and how i'd look super awesome in a pair of super sexy christian louboutin pumps. but does one honestly need those distinctive red-soled heels merely to go with a graduation gown and mortarboard? probably not, but i can imagine all the other events i can parade them to!

i can sort of feel in my bones that my beloved toshiba laptop is dying somewhat, and while i've been a loyal patron of the anti-apple fanclub for a long time (despite owning an ipod), i have recently found myself slowly converting into an apple fanatic ever since i laid hands on the ipad2 (which wasn't mine unfortunately). therefore new additions to my wishlist are the ipad, of course, and a macbook air once my current laptop decides it no longer wants to be of service. oh and when my phone contract ends, i want an iphone, hopefully by that time the iphone 5 will be out!

i've also been eyeing on an herve leger dress, well, just because. and maybe a new handbag? i don't know, a classic chanel or a bottega veneta or something. i'm not too particular. hah hah hah. when i start working i'll definitely want a flat screen and subscribe to cable television. i've done so well for many years resisting the temptation of subscribing to astro (while i was at taylor's and IMU), and virgin/sky tv here in the UK, so i think i very much deserve a prize once i start work!

other wants which are fortunately reasonable include a good coffee maker, an ice-cream maker, a deep fryer (just maybe, but imagine all the pisang goreng and curry puffs and fried chicken i can make with it!) and a brand new set of proper cookware and kitchen utensils!

and last but not least on my wishlist: perhaps that £180 meal (drinks and 15% service charge not included!) at the fat duck, brainchild of the one and only chef extraordinaire heston blumenthal. all i have to do now is to start saving some money and then designate a few days to spend on the phone trying to beat 30,000 others to get a reservation. yes the restaurant gets 30,000 phone calls a day. don't ask me. it is THAT good.

i know i've risked sounding like a materialistic bitch in this post, and as materialistic as my thoughts can be, i think i'm actually very good with my money! there is nothing wrong with dreaming after all, right? :p