home.social

#sarawak-general-hospital — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #sarawak-general-hospital, aggregated by home.social.

fetched live
  1. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My Reflection Of 2025

    Related Posts:

    2025, was indeed a year.

    The year started out great, I worked on New Year’s Day as usual in the Department of Medical and in April, I entered into my final posting, the Emergency and Trauma Department. In May, I attended my best friend’s wedding.

    In July, I completed my internship and received my full registration under the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) as well as my Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) and started locumming during my holidays back home and I also started floating as a Medical Officer in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It was a steep learning curve for me, transitioning from a House Officer into a Medical Officer. The anxiety increased and I was constantly tired. I remembered my love for medicine and service fading to the point I took a long break in October to recharge and reflect.

    2025 was also the year, I handed in my 30-days-notice to resign but revoke it the following day. Perhaps it was too much for me, although the working environment and superiors were more than sweet and kind. Physically, I was catching up but mentally, I was fading away.

    Looking back, thankfully, I did not. I celebrated my birthday before travelling back to Kuching the following day. 2025 was also the year when my relationship ended. It was a good and lovely 19 months. Perhaps, it was just time.

    November was the month I received my letter stating that I will receive my placement and I needed to report for duty on the 24th of November 2025. One thing for sure, I was sure to continue serving in Sarawak. The place? Unknown yet.

    On the 18th of November, I found out that I would need to report to the Health Division of Bintulu on the 24th of November 2025.

    Bintulu, that’s around 7 hours drive from Kuching. I didn’t have a place to stay nor a car and my things were all unpacked and I was just extremely busy. I packed whatever I could, shipped some boxes back home, those that I managed to do and on the 23rd of November, I flew to Bintulu.

    Thankfully, the doctor-in-charge of the Health Division was kind enough to let me know which place or clinic that I would be placed at.

    Yes, clinic setting. I did not apply for a clinic setting which so happened to be what many others in my batch longed for. Surprisingly, I got it!

    Considering the state of my mental health, I was more than ecstatic to accept it.

    2025 was also the year I moved and started working in a new place and also one that speaks a different dialect. I started doing oncalls as well and surprisingly, adapted very quickly into a General Practitioner’s setting as well as the new place. I also met another colleague who was previously my medical officer in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology when I was a House Officer and made new friends and acquaintances.

    Overall, 2025 was a mixed of both good and bad experiences. I felt both the highs and also went through a period of low mood. New people entered my life, some stayed and some also left. Nevertheless, I am thankful for all the experiences I went through as well as the lessons learnt.

    Hopefully, I can learn from the errors that I have made and grow, making me into a better person.

    Thank you 2025. Now, it’s time to move on, to 2026.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #2025 #article #Articles #bintulu #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1823 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1844 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1929 #dailyprompt1931 #dailyprompt1940 #dailyprompt1942 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1956 #dailyprompt1964 #doctor #floatingMedicalOfficer #generalPractitioner #healthcare #hospitalLife #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #moving #newPlace #reflection #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #writing

    #article #articles #bintulu #blog #blogging #dailyprompt
  2. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    12 Hours Shift – Counting Down My Hours Each Time At Work

    Related Posts:

    How do you waste the most time every day?

    At the time of writing this article, which was back in June 2025, I was going through my 6th Rotation of my Housemanship which is in the Department of Emergency and Trauma. As a House Officer in the Emergency Department, we go by the 12-hours shift.

    This meant, our shift is from:

    • AM Shift: 7am till 7pm
    • PM Shift: 10am till 10pm
    • Night Shift: 10pm till 10am

    In this department, they are strict in regards to adhering to a minimum of 60 hours per week in total. Thus, in a week, our schedule is as follows;

    • A total of at least 4 daytime shifts (AM or PM Shifts)
    • One night shift
    • One off day

    That is provided one has off-tagged of course.

    Perhaps, it is the “last paper syndrome” that I was experiencing being in the 6th and final rotation, I would be counting down my hours each day at work. Thus, upon arrival at work, I would start my “12-hours countdown“ on my phone.

    On slow days, I made it a point to go to toilet every hour, technically my so-called “hourly break” whereas on busy days, the toilet break is the only time I could take a break. This is followed by ensuring I have at least one meal per day during my shift.

    Otherwise, the schedule in the emergency department is relatively better as compared to my previous rotations. Nevertheless, the tiredness is still there.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1822 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1853 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1856 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1892 #dailyprompt1942 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1951 #dailyprompt1977 #doctor #doctorSLife #emergency #emergencyAndTrauma #emergencyDepartment #emergencyMedicine #healthcare #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #Medicine #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #shift #writing

    #article #articles #blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804
  3. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Lazy Days As A Medical Officer

    Click here for more articles & daily dose.

    Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

    While I’m at work, I’d be looking forward to returning home or towards my off day. In contrary, while I’m at home or on my off day, I’d be thinking about returning to work.

    Do you feel the same way?

    Previously, as a House Officer, I’m used to the “one off day per week”. Whereas, as a Medical Officer, weekends and public holidays are granted off days, except if you’re well… oncall and that depends on your current department as well as some departments require you to put in a half day shift during weekends or public holidays.

    I’d say for me, considering I live alone and I don’t even own a car here in Sarawak, I’m pretty much lazy and unproductive to the point I get restless sometimes.

    That’s counter productive as rest days are meant to make you feel… rested, right?

    Thus, on my off days, since I’m an early riser, I try not to disturb my circadian rhythm by getting up at the same time as usual every morning, partly because I forgot to off the alarm or somehow, my body clock just wakes me up every time.

    To feel so-called “productive”, I’d do some studying with my morning coffee till I well, lose my focus, then I start wondering about lunch and start cooking, handwash my clothes because I’m too lazy to walk downstairs with a bag of clothes and finally doze off for my afternoon nap.

    I’d then wake up in the evening to have dinner and pack my essentials and bag for work the following day before finally, retiring to bed early.

    I really need to be more productive during my off days.

    Even me writing this just sounds too depressing.

    Click here for more articles & daily dose.

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1823 #dailyprompt1829 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1836 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1943 #dailyprompt1945 #dailyprompt1946 #dailyprompt1947 #dailyprompt1948 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1954 #dailyprompt1956 #dailyprompt1959 #doctor #doctorSLife #hospital #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #kuching #lazy #lazyDays #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #plasticAndReconstructiveSurgery #plasticSurgery #plastics #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #surgical #writing

    #article #blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1823 #dailyprompt1829
  4. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Reflection: 2 Months As A Floating Medical Officer

    Related Posts:

    At the time of writing this article, I’m on leave which I took from the 1st of October till 15th of October, which my Head of Department (HOD) was more than kind enough to allow.

    I needed the break, perhaps it was an adjustment disorder on my side but I was struggling. Physically, I caught up, I showed up and I was there but mentally, I felt left behind and lost and on most days, I was low.

    Perhaps, it was out of tiredness as I have just recently off-tagged and in combination with my low mood, I felt demotivated and in general, felt that I have lost my love for medicine. I decided then that clinical life in the hospital was not for me. True, we were lacking doctors in various departments and hospitals in general across Malaysia. However, during that time, even if there enough manpower, I don’t think I would still want to continue.

    I tried looking on the bright side, tiny things as well as the positive aspects of things to help me to get through the day.

    Firstly, I’m thankful to be in a subspeciality department instead of the bigger and more hectic departments, I think I would have broken down within the first week itself. Secondly, I was in the department with the sweetest and kindest bosses who were more than happy to teach or lend a helping hand when needed. We are small in number, yes. But it felt like being part of a family.

    I was happy, the environment was good, kind and non-toxic. However, mentally, I knew that this is not my place.

    This further saddens me as I have always looked forward to being part of this lovely department. Yet, I knew, it’s just a matter of time before I slip and broke down. My body knew that I wouldn’t last long here nor do I foresee myself handling the complex and complicated cases here. If my interest is not here, how would I even make it through to specialise?

    Amidst the business and my mind and body trying to keep up with the steep learning curve place before me, I was unable to view my options or to consider other departments.

    I was just done in general and sadly, I wouldn’t be able to fulfil my quote in my medical school yearbook, I feel myself losing my will every single day nor do I find the strength within myself to serve.

    Sadly,“sometimes what we like is not necessarily what is suited for us”, a fellow colleague told me and that hit me hard. I had no interest in other departments either or practicing in general at that point. All I could think of at that point was to quit and to hand in my resignation letter. After all, I have successfully completed my 2 years of internship / housemanship training. I can still locum if I wanted to. But of course, I didn’t enjoy it either. All I was ever passionate of was to teach. Thus, I considered changing my field and entering university as a lecturer did not sound appealing either as I did not like research at all.

    Thus, after much contemplation, I approached my Head of Department (HOD) to validate my 30-day-resignation letter. My HOD is another kind soul who enquired to know what prompted me to come to such a decision. She signed my papers but advised me to consider changing departments instead of quitting.

    However, at that time and at that current state of mind, I was fixed on my decision. Hence, the following week on a Monday, I submitted my 30-Days-Notice of Resignation, only to have it retracted the following day. Although I have handed in my 30-Days-Notice, a part of me felt a tinge of regret and sadness. Somehow, some part of me did not want to leave but I could not see any way out of this virtual box that I appear to be caged in.

    My colleague and my parents played an important role in my decision to retract my resignation. Instead, despite my limited amount of leaves left for the rest of the year, I chose to take some time of work. Perhaps it was due to tiredness that contributed to my rash and impulsive decision.

    On the 1st of October 2025, I took the first flight out and then throughout my leaves, I locummed at several General Practitioners. Remember when I said that I did not like locum either? This time, I decided to give it a second try and to keep an open mind.

    The first GP I locummed at was a rather chill one with only 3 cases being seen throughout the whole day. The subsequent GPs were hectic and had multiple procedures, literally from the beginning of my shift till the end. In all of those times, I was the only doctor in the clinic. In my previous experiences, I have locummed at clinics which had 2-3 resident doctors.

    Honestly, I don’t know how I managed to pull it off. Despite the hecticness and the patient load, I found myself looking forward to return and I enjoyed talking, listening and consulting the patients. It was fun. Slowly, I found myself enjoying and falling back in love with medicine and practicing medicine and thinking on how I could improve myself to serve better.

    Then, I realised, perhaps venturing into family medicine might not be such a bad thing. True, there is abundant of family medicine doctors now and lack of doctors practicing in the hospital but that doesn’t mean that they are still not needed. Sadly, as much as I want to force myself to carry on and stay practicing in the hospital, I knew that it is not meant for me in the long haul or for me to last for even a year.

    The opportunity to specialise is there but how can I continue if I can’t even see myself as one, or even have the inspiration?

    Suddenly, the plan and my pathway seems clearer and I’m more than ecstatic to embark on my next journey. It was definitely the rest that I needed. To think and to reflect. If I were to stick to this journey, how can I do so for the long haul and at the same time, enjoy it?

    I hope that in months or years to come, the decision to stay is the right choice. Perhaps, I still need time to discover my interest in this vast field. At times, I wish that it can be simple and that I would know what or which department I’m fitted to or destined to specialise in.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1828 #dailyprompt1829 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1944 #dailyprompt1946 #dailyprompt1948 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1951 #dailyprompt1953 #doctor #doctorSLife #healthcare #hospital #hospitalLife #hospitalUmumSarawak #kuching #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #plasticAndReconstructiveSurgery #plasticSurgery #plastics #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #surgery #writing

    #articles #blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1828
  5. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My FIRST SOLO Oncall Shift As A Floating Medical Officer

    Related Posts:

    My first solo oncall shift was on the 17th of August 2025 a few days after I have completed my tagging period.

    I had a passive oncall on standby just in case things got out of hand, which is a good thing. However, I was adamant to try to survive on my own as if I only had myself and the specialist. Thankfully as well, it was on a weekday which meant I was able to reach out and ask for help if needed and the others would be able to assist if needed or advice me.

    As usual, morning rounds, followed by peri rounds. The role as an oncall medical officer of the day is to update the progress of the patients in the specialist’s WhatsApp group as well as to upload any latest wound pictures, if any.

    The day was rather busy with rounds and in between I would receive calls from Klinik Kesihatan (Community Clinics), usually requesting a clinic date. Thankfully, no referrals yet.

    After rounds, I headed back to the ward to complete any pending joblists before heading into the operating theatre (OT) for a patient that was awaiting her call to OT.

    During that operation, there was a referral from the Emergency and Trauma (ETD) Department, referring a case of laceration wound over the forehead for a 3 year old boy.

    The medical officer at the ETD was kind enough to assist in taking the bloods as well as admitting the patient. My colleague on the other hand came to check in on me after her day in the clinic and attended to this kid.

    After the first operation, the following case was called which was the 3-year-old kid. I have always enjoyed being in the operating theatre, or any hands on procedures.

    Despite knowing that I should be conserving energy, instead, I proceeded to carry on and after the second op, I entered an ongoing flap operation next door to assist.

    Another referral came for a laceration wound over the forehead for an Orthopaedic patient who was post-operative and transferred to ICU. Apparently, it was missed when the patient arrived at the Emergency Department as he suffered multiple opened fracture and was posted for operation immediately. Thankfully, he was intubated and sedated and I was able to perform a bedside toilet and suturing for him.

    By the time I was done, it was midnight. I went back to the oncall room to shower and change for the night. I would usually change into scrubs again if I were to be oncall, just to be on standby in case I was needed immediately.

    I did not sleep that night, it just felt wrong as the flap operation was still ongoing since 8am.

    I went in again to check in on them, however, I was not needed at that time. Thus, I kept a fellow colleague company.

    At 2am, I returned back to ward to complete the planned discharge of a patient and started my morning review. Thankfully, I did. In between, I was referred a new case of another kid who suffered another laceration wound at his right eyebrow. Thus, counselled the parents, obtained consent and admitted the patient.

    After that, I was requested to collect bloods or bags packed cell for the patient who was still ongoing operation. When the commotion was done, I returned to continue my early morning reviews.

    By 4am, I went back inside the operating theatre to check in on the ongoing operation. Technically, still far from done. Scrubbed in to assist with harvesting the skin for split thickness skin graft and refashioning of the affected limb.

    At 8am, we were finally done. The operation officially lasted for 24 hours. All of us scrubbed out and I changed out of my attire to return to ward and follow rounds.

    During peri rounds, a patient was called to OT and I entered organ as I dislike peri rounds. After the OT, all of us were just beyond tired and I went home for the day.

    No doubt, it was my first “solo oncall”, it did not feel lonely at all as since there was an ongoing operation, physically, I felt comforted knowing that there were people nearby and felt more like a slumber party instead.

    And the most important part… I survived it!

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1813 #dailyprompt1819 #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1828 #dailyprompt1829 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1945 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1953 #dailyprompt1955 #dailyprompt1956 #doctor #floatingMedicalOfficer #healthcare #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #Medicine #oncall #plasticSurgery #plastics #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #surgery #writing

    #article #blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1813
  6. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    I SURVIVED My First Month Of Tagging As A Floating Medical Officer

    Related Posts:

    Thank God. Seriously.

    I started my journey on the 21st of August 2025 and officially off-tag on the 14th of September 2025 after my last tagging oncall shift.

    Technically, it was not a month but 3 weeks. Nevertheless, a very tiring 3 weeks with every other day oncalls and one sick leave in between.

    The tagging oncalls were every other day (EOD), this meant an oncall shift followed by postcall and the following day is an office hour shift only to be followed by oncall again.

    Overall, it was a mixture of fun and tiredness. My sleeping schedule was definitely off as I am usually disturbed in the middle of the night as the time I am usually able to sleep peacefully is during my postcall shifts.

    Thankfully, I always had a senior with me to guide me. Thus, every referral I received, I would discuss on the management plan with them. It was mentally challenging as well as the learning curve is extremely steep for a junior medical officer such as myself.

    Having completed my tagging period, I am still at lost in terms of management especially for extremely complicated cases. Thus, I find myself running to any of my seniors or the specialists.

    Am I confident now though?

    Not really. Less terrified and yes somewhat a tad bit confident than when I initially begun. However, just a tad.

    The fear is still there as I just do not know what to expect on the types of referrals I will receive during my call.

    Some things just don’t change. The fear that I felt during my House Officer days are still there and at times, I wish that I could just simply disappear run away from the issue but doing so, does not help.

    Thus, the only solution for me is to dive head on into the issue and call for help whenever needed.

    If any of you are experiencing this, just know that you are not alone and sometimes the feelings felt internally just can’t be expressed properly either via words or verbally.

    If you are showing up everyday despite feeling this way, you are doing a good job. Take comfort in that as it is not an easy thing to just do. Sometimes, showing up daily in itself is a hard task.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #2025 #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1823 #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1829 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1836 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1957 #doctor #floatingMedicalOfficer #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #oncall #plasticAndReconstructiveSurgery #plasticSurgery #plastics #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #surgery #surviving #tagging #writing

    #article #articles #blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1823
  7. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My First Tagging On-Call Shift As A Floating Medical Officer

    Related Posts:

    My first tagging oncall shift was on a Sunday with a fellow medical officer I knew when I was a House Officer in General Surgery. Back then, he was having his attachment in General Surgery.

    Just like a House Officer, we had to undergo a period of “tagging“.

    In the Department of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery at Sarawak General Hospital, I had to undergo a tagging period of one month, every other day (EOD). This is because, I am a newborn medical officer with no previous experience in General Surgery (as a Medical Officer).

    This is an advantage as I would be able to learn as much as I could within a span of 1 month. However, it was also a disadvantage as I’m afraid, I would be burnt out mentally and physically considering the on-calls were on every other day (EOD).

    “I can do it. If others could, I could too.” , I repeated this mantra to myself but the learning curve is going to be an extremely steep one.

    During my first tagging oncall, thankfully, it was with a fellow senior colleague who I was rather comfortable with.

    We started with our morning ward rounds followed by passover and peri-rounds. After we were done, we went back to the ward to settle our pending job-lists followed by lunch.

    As a tagging on-call medical officer, the first call would be to me for referrals. After which, I would discuss with my senior and proceed to see the referred patient together. After reviewing our newly electively admitted patients, pre-op rounds with surgeon and demarcating the op site and pre-op meeting, we went back home in the evening and returned at night together for our night reviews which we updated in the Department’s WhatsApp Group on the progress of certain patients. Incidentally, a patient whom we were awaiting for op was called into the operating theatre and the operation ended at 2am. Finally, we returned home for the night.

    I was nervous of course as I usually get anxious easily. However, I took my shower and headed to bed.

    My phone was kept beside me in case I were to receive calls or referrals. At 6am, I returned to the ward and started our morning reviews as well as prepared for our morning rounds.

    Since, it was a Monday, it was morning ward rounds, handover and peri rounds as usual. However, since I was still tagging, I was expected to stay till 5pm or to join the ongoing surgeries.

    Thus, my first postcall was spent in the operating theatre assisting till 6pm. However, despite the ongoing operation, I excused myself to return home and rest.

    The following day will be another one, thankfully, not oncall but within office hours.

    Thankfully, it was a good call with a fellow senior that I was comfortable with in terms of approaching in regards to my doubts which was undoubtedly, many.

    I can only hope that I would be able to survive this whole month of tagging.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1828 #dailyprompt1836 #dailyprompt1853 #dailyprompt1855 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1861 #dailyprompt1943 #dailyprompt1944 #dailyprompt1945 #dailyprompt1946 #dailyprompt1948 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1954 #doctor #hospital #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #oncall #plasticAndReconstructiveSurgery #plasticSurgery #plastics #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #surgery #tagging #writing

    #article #articles #blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1828
  8. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My First Day As A Medical Officer In KKM

    Related Posts:

    Housemanship or Internship for Doctors in Malaysia lasts for a duration of 2 years, upon completion of our medical school journey.

    For some, they began shortly upon graduation whilst for others, they took a gap year.

    I submitted my application to pursue my internship in the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, KKM) shortly after my graduation but did not actually begin till 6 months later in 2023. Two years later, thankfully, I’ve completed and fully registered with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and possess a valid Annual Practicing Certificate (APC).

    Post housemanship, I went on a 3-weeks-break and on the 21st of August 2025, I reported for duty as a Medical Officer.

    Upon my completion of housemanship, one would have to go through a “floating period” of maximum 6 months prior to receiving their placement in whichever department, hospital or state of choice. Usually, the floating period occurs in the same hospital that one had completed their housemanship or internship in.

    Thankfully, I was offered to float in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. However, I was diving into the world of Surgery with no experience or knowledge in basic suturing.

    During my first day, I reported for duty at the Hospital Director’s Office to receive my “floating” placement letter, checked my remaining leaves and proceeded to Burn Ward of Sarawak General Hospital.

    The Burn Ward.

    I’ve had good memories previously as a House Officer here and I was beyond ecstatic as well as relieved to be accepted into this department which is filled with understanding and helpful bosses.

    I was then given orientation by one of the medical officers, clerked a burn patient that was just admitted and spent most of my time accompanying a fellow friend who thankfully is in the same department. Considering it was my first day and a rather slow one, I was able to return home at 5pm.

    There’s just so much more that I have yet to learn. Hopefully, I’ll have both the mental and physical strength to push through.

    Thankfully, the environment is one that is filled with love and encouragement.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #burnWard #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1805 #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1829 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1946 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1951 #dailyprompt1953 #dailyprompt1954 #dailyprompt1955 #dailyprompt1969 #doctor #doctorSLife #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #plasticSurgery #plastics #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #writing

    #article #articles #blog #blogging #burnward #dailyprompt
  9. Canada News Beep @[email protected]

    SGH appeals for family to assist in Kek Siew Lan’s psychiatric care

    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads WhatsApp Telegram SGH calls on family members of Kek Siew Lan to come forward…
    #NewsBeep #News #Mentalhealth #CA #Canada #Health #MentalHealth #nextofkin #Psychiatric #sarawakgeneralhospital
    newsbeep.com/ca/121959/

    #newsbeep #news #mentalhealth #ca #canada #health
  10. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Tagline: “Hourly Toilet Break”

    Click here for more articles & daily dose.

    If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

    Those who have worked with me know that I have such thing called “The Hourly Toilet Break”.

    Firstly, because I consume lots of fluids and secondly, that is how I ensure I do get the break once in a while on a busy day or maybe, the day is quite slow and I am just, bored.

    Of course when the day is rather busy and hectic, time just flies and that I do not even realise the time passing by. By the time I actually do complete my task and take the opportunity to just rest for a while, 2-3 hours have gone by.

    How Did The Hourly Toilet Break Started?

    Photo by Hafidz Alifuddin on Pexels.com

    I didn’t actually planned for such thing at work. Obviously.

    At home, I do frequently go for my toilet breaks as I’m forever consuming green teas or black coffees or water. All of which contributes to the filling of my bladder, in addition to the fluids being diuretics.

    It wasn’t until I started my tagging in my sixth rotation, the Emergency & Trauma Department that I reinforced this so-called “hourly toilet break”.

    The tagging hours in the Emergency & Trauma Department is long, just as in other postings whereby we had to work from 7am til 10pm everyday with an off day each week for 10 days straight.

    Thus, it helped me in ensuring that I either get to sit and recollect myself during hectic days or to make the hours pass during slow days.

    Click here for more articles & daily dose.

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1822 #dailyprompt1829 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1881 #dailyprompt1941 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1957 #dailyprompt1964 #dailyprompt1968 #doctor #emergency #healthcare #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #internship #kuching #medical #Medicine #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #tagging #tagline #toiletBreak #writing

    #writing #toiletbreak #tagline #tagging #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak
  11. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My First Night Shift In Emergency & Trauma | Housemanship Diaries

    Related Posts:

    Remember when I mentioned that I love the night shifts?

    No? Well, here are the articles advocating my love for that shift:

    Photo by Chauhan Dixant on Pexels.com

    My first night shift in this department was in the Red Zone and I was terrified.

    Thankfully, it was with a fellow Registrar who is rather patient, kind and one who loves to teach.

    The scary part however was that it is the Red Zone after all and on my first night!

    The Red Zone basically caters to patients who are unstable be it haemodynamically or in terms of their vital signs or that they are in a state of severe acidosis, on the verge of collapsing, you name it. Basically, how severe of a state a person must be in to end up in that zone.

    The night started off smoothly with cases coming in one at a time. Alright, I kept repeating to myself, “attend them, transfer them to another bed, vital signs, bloods, fill out forms, clerk and basically just listen to your superiors”.

    The night eventually turned into midnight and into the wee hours of the morning and finally the sun has risen. Before I knew it, it was 7am and the AM shift House Officer has arrived. I am not alone again.

    Time to prepare for handover rounds at 7:45am.

    It was better after that, having another person with me as it felt less intimidating.

    At 10am, I took off and headed home. Not a bad experience for the first night shift.

    The good thing about the night shift in the Emergency and Trauma is that we are not alone. There is always a team or at least your superiors are always there.

    However, I don’t quite prefer the night shift in this posting. Having actually completed this posting, at the time of writing this article, the daytime shift is definitely better.

    Nonetheless, in all the night shifts, albeit that it could be a terrifying one especially prior to the start of your shift, always remember that you are never completely alone even if it feels like it and that help is always nearby.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1820 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1844 #dailyprompt1853 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1856 #dailyprompt1860 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1873 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1957 #dailyprompt1970 #dailyprompt1971 #doctor #emergency #emergencyAndTrauma #health #healthcare #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #internship #kuching #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #nightShift #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #trauma #writing

    #writing #trauma #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #nightshift #medicine
  12. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Day 1 Of My Final Posting – Day 647 Of Housemanship

    Related Posts:

    My first day of my final posting, The Emergency & Trauma Department, commenced on the 11th of April 2025.

    Day 647, finally. Finally! I’ve pulled through and entered the last pit stop of my journey as a House Officer.

    In every posting, I have always looked forward to this posting. Prior to joining, I’ve always had mixed feelings and initially wanted to join Anaesthesiology. However, a few weeks prior to entering, the other postings such as Psychiatry, Klinik Kesihatan and Anaesthesiology were removed from our options and everyone had to rotate in the Emergency and Trauma Department.

    This is good. This meant more manpower.

    However, just as the previous postings, prior to joining any new department, I’ve always had this fear and mixed feelings because it is after a new environment.

    My fear was stumbling too badly on my first day. Thus, of course, I did my research and questioned the people I knew who were already in the posting.

    My First Day began on a Friday in the “Yellow Respi Zone“.

    The Yellow Respi Zone consists of patients who are unable to saturate well under room air, usually less than 90%. Having just completed the Medical Posting, the patients allocated there are primarily Medical patients or in particular, having respiratory issues such as patients developing acute pulmonary oedema or fluid overload secondary to non-compliance to their fluid restriction.

    Thankfully, I have just completed Medical. Thus, I am able to apply my knowledge learnt which was still fresh at that time.

    I arrived a little before 7am since the tagging shift is from 7am till 10pm, introduced myself to the medical officers and talked to a fellow friend who arrived and would be working in the same zone as well. I went through the triages and casenotes of the patients to see if there were any active cases or cases that were due tracing of bloods or referrals.

    The day started off rather quietly and it was manageable. I followed the morning handover rounds at 7:45am and after that attended to any new patients or refer if needed.

    Basically, when a patient comes in, especially to this zone where the patients’ chief complaint is “shortness of breath“, the first person who attends would usually auscultate or “listen” to the lungs and check the vital sigs prior to taking blood or doing a “full clerking” such as obtaining their past medical history or history of presenting illness.

    The next person that steps in usually helps with the bloods and fills the forms.

    Everyone worked together as a team and somehow indirectly we were communicating with one another without actually voicing it out. It seemed almost like a dance, or a workout.

    Afternoon came and afternoon handovers started at 2:45pm. I met a lovely medical officer who is a junior herself but one who was extremely upbeat and more than happy to guide me.

    I learnt a lot during my first day with her. She even encouraged me to consider joining this department during my floating period.

    The evenings became extremely busy to which I did not really realise. Maybe because it was my first day or maybe because I have just completed my Medical Posting (and it was much busier over there), or perhaps because I simply enjoyed working with my superior or team on that day.

    The day ended at 10pm and I walked back home. Thankfully, I lived within walking distance thus I saved time and did not have to worry regarding transportation or parking issues.

    My first day in my last posting or rotation started off well which is something I’m more than thankful for.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyPrompt #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1812 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1855 #dailyprompt1861 #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1873 #dailyprompt1878 #dailyprompt1886 #dailyprompt1954 #dailyprompt1956 #doctor #emergency #emergencyAndTrauma #firstDay #health #healthcare #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #tagging #trauma #writing

    #writing #trauma #tagging #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #medicine
  13. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Surviving 10 Days Of Tagging | Emergency & Trauma Department

    Related Posts:

    My tagging days in my sixth and final rotation, Emergency and Trauma Department, lasted for a total of 10 days which was from the 11th of April till the 23rd of April 2025. This is excluding our one “off day” for the week.

    Did I manage to last throughout the tagging days?

    Not quite.

    I did take a sick leave during my second week of tagging. The reason was that I was just extremely tired.

    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    The tagging hours in the Emergency and Trauma Department is from 7 am till 10pm, just in other postings.

    The good thing about this department is that we do not need to do morning reviews. Thus, coming way early prior to our shift is unheard of. We merely come and leave on time.

    However, considering that it is the Emergency Department, things are unpredictable whereby things could be quiet one moment and hectic the next.

    Hence, on days which burn, it can be extremely tiring. But, completing these tagging days are a must and so on slow days where the hours seem to pass by really slowly, I make it a point to have an “hourly toilet break“. On busy days, it may be the only time that I am given a chance to sit and breathe.

    On top of that, I made sure I took my lunch and dinner break. Not because I was hungry as I was used to having my meal for the day after work. It was merely my way of spending my time during my tagging days.

    At 10pm, the shift is over and I leave, even if the floor is busy because the following day my shift begins at 7am again.

    Finally after 10 days of “tagging“, I have finally off-tagged and shifted to “shift hours“.

    Photo by Andrey Grushnikov on Pexels.com

    There are no assessments in order to off-tag. as there were in other postings, which is a good thing. However, tagging in this posting felt long and seem to went on forever for me. Perhaps, this was because I was mainly tagging alone as I entered a month later than my fellow peers.

    Nonetheless, I was glad to be done with this schedule and shift back to a regular 12-hours shift.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1828 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1836 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1855 #dailyprompt1860 #dailyprompt1861 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1948 #dailyprompt1953 #dailyprompt1954 #dailyprompt1962 #doctor #emergency #emergencyAndTrauma #hospital #hospitalLife #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #Medicine #sarawakGeneralHospital #tagging #trauma #writing

    #writing #trauma #tagging #sarawakgeneralhospital #medicine #medical
  14. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My Last Shift As A House Officer in Medical | Housemanship Diaries

    Related Posts:

    At the time of writing this article, I am no longer in my Fifth Rotation, Medical but already in my Sixth Rotation, The Emergency and Trauma Department and at the same time, due for my last shift in my Sixth rotation as well as being a House Officer.

    Looking back, my last shift in the Medical Department seemed ages ago.

    However, I remembered that I was night shift at that time and was at Male Medical Ward (MMW).

    My duration working in this ward was around 3 weeks. However, it was my least favourite as compared to Medical 3, Medical 4, the Infectious Disease (ID) Ward or being part of the Perimedical team. The superiors were alright but it was the vibe of the ward in general that I found unsettling that I can’t quite place my fingers on.

    The night shift in Medical is from 8pm till 9am. However, on that day, I recalled leaving home at 6:30pm to go to work as we were not allocated any “long day” shifts.

    “Long Day” or “LD” are those who work from 7am till 10pm. Thus from 6pm till 8pm, prior to the night shift person coming, there is a 2 hours gap which is filled by them.

    On that week, there were no “Long Day’s” and everyone had the opportunity to return home at 6pm. However, who would fill in the “2-hours gap”?

    Thus, I remembered me and my colleagues at that time coming into a mutual agreement and compromise that one person would stay till 7pm and the night shift person would arrive an hour earlier at 7pm.

    It was a good compromise except there would be nobody to accompany us till 10pm and usually their help is valuable. Those hours till 10pm can get rather hectic at times.

    I remembered arriving around 6:45pm and started receiving handover from the AM teams and was cautioned to lookout for a particular patient in the acute cubicle who was rather unstable.

    Upon finishing our handover, the Medical Officer on-call for that ward arrived and things started to go hectic.

    I can’t exactly remember what happened but I was on my feet the whole time and did not begin my “coming mornings” till 3am.

    Thankfully, I was still able to complete them before 5am and the morning bloods were out in the system on time.

    That morning during my post night shift, I was “summoned” for minimal bloods which I completed immediately. Usually during my post night shift, I would remain within the sights of the “AM team” and offer to help out where I could.

    But I remembered at that time that I was completely spent. I decided to rest in the House Officer’s room and take any bloods a little later prior to my shift ending, if there were any.

    Surprisingly there were none after that. I recalled seeing a junior taking the blood of a patient as I was exiting the ward and asked him as to why he did not just ask me.

    He claimed that upon arriving for his morning shift, I looked rather spent and after I left to take a short break in the House Officer’s room, he just did not want to disturb me. After all, he said, it was only one patient.

    I was touched and grateful. It was a small gesture. However, it’s small, simple things that sometimes touches you.

    After that, I clocked out for the last time as a House Officer in the Medical Department.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1844 #dailyprompt1853 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1861 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1878 #dailyprompt1881 #dailyprompt1885 #dailyprompt1892 #dailyprompt1895 #dailyprompt1903 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1953 #dailyprompt1954 #dailyprompt1955 #dailyprompt1956 #dailyprompt1963 #doctor #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #lastShift #medical #medicalPosting #Medicine #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #ward #writing

    #writing #ward #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #medicine #medicalposting
  15. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Surviving The Night Shift As A House Officer In Medical 3 | Housemanship Diaries

    Related Posts:

    The Medical 3 Ward of Hospital Umum Sarawak or “Sarawak General Hospital” is located on the 9th floor of the main building.

    Thankfully, being allocated as the Night House Officer, we only had to take care of one ward, unlike being allocated in Medical 4 / Medical 5 / Infectious Disease Ward or being in the Perimedical Team whereby we were always on the go.

    The Medical 3 Ward consists of three teams, which are General Medicine, Respiratory and Neuromedical.

    During the daytime, we have allocated House Officers for each team. However, during the night shift, we are in charge of the whole ward.

    The jobscope of the night shift House Officer in this ward is the same as in other wards and postings which are transferring in of new patients, attending to acute issues and most importantly, coming mornings.

    If you have read my previous article on Surviving The Night Shift In The Medical Posting In General, I mentioned that in this posting, upon my arrival to the ward for my night shift, I would begin taking my coming mornings.

    The same goes for Medical 3. However, unlike the night shift in Perimedical, I do not take my arterial blood gases with my coming mornings.

    I begin from the Respiratory cubicles which is located at the back of the ward and then move to the front cubicles before finally continuing at subacute and acute cubicles which are the beds located in the middle of the ward, in front of the nursing counter.

    If I were late for my coming mornings, then I would proceed with taking the arterial blood gases together. But if I finished early, I would take the blood gases much later.

    By 5:30am – 6am, I would start running my blood gases and paste them in the casenotes of the patients. Around 6am – 7am is when the morning team starts arriving to trace the bloods as well as begin their morning reviews.

    Thus, I wait to be summoned for my bloodtaking or certests.

    Finally, at 9am, I return home from my shift.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1823 #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1844 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1939 #dailyprompt1948 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1956 #dailyprompt1959 #dailyprompt1962 #dailyprompt1963 #dailyprompt1964 #doctor #healthcare #hospital #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #Medicine #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #writing

    #writing #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #medicine #medical #malaysia
  16. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Surviving The Night Shift In The Medical Posting In General | Housemanship Diaries

    Related Posts:

    The shift that I have always dreaded but enjoyed the most were the night shifts. I dreaded it because I knew that I would be alone most of the time and afraid that I would not be able to cope with the adrenaline rush or anxiety or the craziness that might ensue. However, I enjoyed it because that meant that I will be able to sleep in prior to going for my shift and the following day at 7am, the morning team will start arriving and I am not alone anymore.

    The Medical posting in general is a “heavy” posting because of the patient load. Almost all of the patients are so-called “Medical” patients once Surgical, Orthopaedic, Psychiatric or other causes have been ruled out, and it could stem from something as simple as electrolyte imbalance to myocardial infarction or stroke.

    Thus, imagine the amount of coming mornings.

    Prior to entering this posting, I’ve always enquired and listened to my fellow colleagues’ input and experiences. Most of them would say that “In the Medical posting, the rule of thumb for surviving the night shift is to start taking the bloods as soon as you arrive for the night shift”.

    True enough. That is something I have practiced since and even in other postings as you do not know just when something may happen and next thing you know, the sun is rising and your coming mornings are late and the morning team have arrived and the bloods are still pending or not in the system or yet to be taken and the medical officers and specialists have arrived.

    Sadly, when there is a delay in the blood investigations, there is a delay in management.

    Thus, it is a tachycardic moment for me. Prior to entering my shift, I would screen through the coming morning list and upon arriving, I would usually prep my trolley, ensure my coming mornings are divided and arranged according to their cubicles, ensure enough syringes and needles are set aside as well as the alcohol swabs and cotton swabs.

    Then, I will begin taking my coming mornings, usually working my way from the back of the ward then towards the front cubicle, subacute cubicle and finally, ending with the acute cubicle.

    Usually in between, something will occur, maybe a patient newly admitted into ward or a patient will suddenly be hypotensive or hypertensive or hypoglycaemic or starts throwing up or wants to have a small talk.

    Normally, I would not mind entertaining them. However, if I’m still due to complete my coming mornings, I would proceed to complete it and I usually will not rest until I do. At least I’ll be rest assured that should anything occur in between, I would not have to worry about the completion of my coming mornings.

    The night shifts can be rather unpredictable as one minute it can seem rather quiet and calm at first and hectic the next. At times, it can get overwhelming as well.

    However, have faith and know that help is always nearby and start taking your bloods as early as possible.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1861 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1957 #dailyprompt1959 #dailyprompt1964 #dailyprompt1968 #doctor #doctors #healthcare #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #medical #medicalPosting #Medicine #nightShift #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #writing

    #writing #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #nightshift #medicine #medicalposting
  17. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My First Night Shift Covering Medical 4 / Medical 5 / Infectious Disease Ward In Sarawak General Hospital – Housemanship Diaries

    Related Posts:

    Around my third month in the Department of Medical at Sarawak General Hospital, I was reallocated to Medical 4 which is the “Nephrology Ward” meaning patients who are admitted with newly diagnosed chronic kidney disease or have underlying kidney pathology requiring biopsy or haemodialysis (HD support) but clinically stable as in not requiring oxygen support, not in sepsis or not requiring medications for blood pressure support are admitted here.

    I will explain more about that ward in another article.

    Anyway, back to the reason for this article, being allocated in this ward meant that I had to cover not just this ward, Medical 4 but also Medical 5 as well as the Infectious Disease Ward during my night shift.

    In the Department of Medical, the night shift is from 8pm till 10am the following day.

    While I was allocated here, I was blessed enough to have a few taggers in the ward and tagging is from 7am till 10pm.

    Thus, upon heading down at 8pm, there are usually a few people in Medical 4 till 10pm. Thus, upon entering my shift, I would first head over to Level 9 to place my bags, pop into Medical 4, for a while and then head over to Medical 5 to take the coming morning bloods.

    Upon completion, I would then head over to Medical 4 and begin my coming mornings there. Usually while I’m taking my coming mornings, new patients will come in and thus I would transfer in at the same time.

    Upon completion of my coming mornings in Medical 4, I would usually send my bloods at around 2am and then head over to the Infectious Disease Ward to take the coming mornings.

    In between I would be free but sometimes I would receive call for new transfer ins at Medical 4 and Medical 5.

    At 5-6am, I start running the blood gases. Usually when I take the coming mornings bloods, I would take the blood gases as well and keep it in a separate syringe in the cooler.

    Surviving the night shift initially was intimidating as I have yet to experience it and Medical 4 and Medical 5 were located far apart from each other.

    My main concern was if something were to occur at both wards at the same time.

    Thankfully, my experiences were mostly good and I enjoyed every night shift I’ve experienced thus far in this ward.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1862 #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1932 #dailyprompt1945 #dailyprompt1948 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1954 #dailyprompt1962 #dailyprompt1963 #dailyprompt1969 #doctor #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficers #housemanship #kuching #medical #medicalWard #nightShift #sarawakGeneralHospital #write #writing

    #writing #write #sarawakgeneralhospital #nightshift #medicalward #medical
  18. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Part 2 – Life As A Peri Medical House Officer In Hospital Umum Sarawak | Main Building, Side Building, Infectious Disease Ward

    Related Posts:

    The Peri Medical House Officer Team takes care of:

    1. The Emergency Department
      • Green zone
      • Yellow zone
      • Yellow respiratory zone
      • Green-Yellow zone
      • Asthma Bay
      • Red Zone I
      • Red Zone II
      • Decon
      • CSSD
      • EDOU
    2. Main Building
    3. Side Building
    4. Infectious Disease Ward
    5. SDC (Surgical Daycare)

    In this article, I will be sharing my experiences as a Perimedical House Officer covering main building, side building, SDC as well as the Infectious Disease (ID) ward.

    As I previously mentioned in my previous article, the work begins from 7am till 6pm (short days), 7am till 10pm (long days) and 8am till 9am (night shifts).

    Covering this part of the hospital meant taking care of “stranded patients” which are medical patients who are lodging in other department wards as there are no space or beds available in the main medical wards. Usually, patients like these are somewhat stable enough to be left on their own without constant supervision. Those that do require, are usually left in the Emergency Department or transferred straight to medical wards.

    The Main Building

    Taking care of the Main Building meant that one would have to cover:

    On some days, there would not be any perimedical patients in certain wards. Thus, there are days that we do not have to go to these wards. On bad days, there are perimedical patients on every floor and the patient count will be extremely high.

    During my time serving in the main building, I was blessed enough to have a partner. Thus, despite the high volume of patients, it felt manageable.

    Upon my arrival, I usually begin from the highest floor and work my way down. Thus, I begin from the 7th floor by checking with the TL or Team Leader to identify new cases and update the list followed by tracing the blood investigations.

    This is to ensure that the patients are not missed during rounds.

    I proceed with doing this in the wards of every floor till I am done prior to beginning my morning reviews.

    Usually by then, the Medical Officers have arrived and are proceeding with their morning reviews.

    Sometimes, we join in and sometimes, we are asked to review the other patients and on our own until the specialist arrives.

    Upon the specialist’s arrival, we would all meet up at one place to begin out rounds.

    Rounds in perimedical is similar to that in the ward. The only difference is that rounds are once daily and the patients are all around the place.

    In between, there would be new transfer ins, attending to acute issues of which the nurses from other wards would call or inform the House Officers from other departments.

    After that, it is followed by preparation of the coming morning bloods. The wards and bed numbers are labelled on top of the forms and kept in the ETD for the night House Officers to take.

    The Side Building

    The Side Building is less hectic than main building and that meant we had to cover:

    As usual, upon my arrival, I would begin at the topmost floor and check for any new patients as well as to trace the bloods.

    After all of it is done, I begin my review in the ICU Extension 2 Ward. The ICU Extension 2 ward consists of unstable, intubated patients of various departments.

    Usually by the time I begin my morning review, the specialist would have just arrived and we begin our rounds.

    After the ICU Extension 2 is followed by Neurosurgical Ward since they are located at the same place, then Neurosurgical HDU.

    Upon completion of morning rounds is followed by carrying out the active joblists, discharges and requesting for radiological scans.

    Similar to Main Building, the coming morning bloods are prepped and kept at the Emergency Department for the night house officers to collect.

    SDC – Surgical Day Care

    SDC is the Surgical Day Care as per the name. Usually patients who are admitted here come in on the day of the procedure itself and is discharged in the evening.

    However, when the wards are fully occupied and the Emergency Department is overflowing with stranded patients, the SDC converts temporarily to host the stranded patients.

    At max, the patient load is only two cubicles full and the patients being admitted there are usually relatively stable.

    Similar to main building and side building, I begin my day with tracing the bloods, x-rays or any relevant radiologist reports before beginning my review and rounds with the medical officer and specialists.

    The Infectious Disease Ward

    The Infectious Disease Ward or “ID Ward” is located in a building separate from the main or side building.

    Previously, it used to be the House Officer’s Accommodation. However, it was subsequently converted into a ward.

    The ward consists of two floors with each floor containing 6 isolation rooms for each floor. Upon entering the ward itself, one has to change into the hospital scrubs and prior entering the ward isolation rooms, one has to don apron, shower cap and gloves, the standard PPE.

    The casenotes are not allowed to be brought in, thus all reviews are written outside.

    What do I do if I were stationed to at the Infectious Disease Ward?

    The house officer allocated to the ID ward are those from the Peri Pool, meaning our shift is from 7am till 6pm for short days.

    Thus, upon my arrival, I would change into the hospital scrubs. Then, I would proceed to trace the bloods. The bloods sent from the ID ward are usually late. Thus. It would either be pending in the system or yet to be in the system.

    Next, I will begin my reviews, first to the newly transferred in patients followed by the rest while awaiting the medical officer.

    There is a whiteboard consisting of the names of the patients in the isolation rooms. Usually in the morning prior to entering the isolation rooms, we would have a short round and presentation with the ID consultant with the whiteboard.

    Thus, during my time there, I would constantly update and personalise it according to my style which would be easier for me during my presentation with the ward consultant.

    After that, we will all proceed to the isolation room. As House Officers, we are the scribe and assistants of the medical officers. Since, we are not allowed to bring the casenotes into the isolation room, thus we will type everything inside our phone and transfer it onto paper after our grand rounds with the patients.

    Rounds at the Infectious Disease Ward is only once daily.

    After the completion of rounds, just like any ward is the completion of active joblist.

    Personally, I enjoyed my time in the Infectious Disease Ward a lot, mainly because I was given the autonomy to customise the board as I liked, present to the consultant myself and was asked multiple questions during rounds and having discussions which I find rather stimulating and enjoyable.

    On top of that, I even had time to return home for a quick lunch every time I was stationed at this ward.

    In the afternoon, some patients on high oxygen support may need arterial blood gases (ABGs) at certain time. If not, it is the preparation of coming morning bloods and transfer ins of any new patients.

    Being in charge of the other places is considerably less hectic than being allocated in the Yellow Zone which can get rather crazy at times as there is massive movement of patients constantly. It actually feels like as if I am at KL Sentral during peak hours.

    However, do not fear if you are allocated into the Peri Medical Pool. The workload can get extremely hectic and it can be rather messy. But, always try your best to learn as much as you can during your period serving there and to enjoy your journey.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1813 #dailyprompt1823 #dailyprompt1826 #dailyprompt1828 #dailyprompt1949 #dailyprompt1950 #dailyprompt1951 #dailyprompt1952 #dailyprompt1953 #dailyprompt1954 #dailyprompt1955 #dailyprompt1956 #dailyprompt1957 #dailyprompt1959 #dailyprompt1962 #dailyprompt1963 #dailyprompt1971 #dailyprompt1976 #dailyprompt1977 #dailyprompt1978 #dailyprompt1979 #doctor #emergency #emergencyDeparment #healthcare #hospital #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #medical #Medicine #periMedical #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #write #writing

    #writing #write #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #perimedical #medicine
  19. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Part 1 – Life As A Peri Medical House Officer In Hospital Umum Sarawak | The Emergency Department

    Related Posts:

    Upon entering the Medical Posting, I was stationed into the “Peri-Medical Pool”. My “birthplace”, so-called.

    Prior to entering the Medical Posting, many of my colleagues commented that the Peri-Medical pool is probably one of the worst place to enter considering that it is rather hectic, busy and messy, not to mention the joblist is never ending.

    The working shift for a Medical House Officer is as such:

    • Short Day (SD): 7am till 6pm
    • Long Day (LD): 7am till 10pm
    • Night Shift (ON): 8pm till 9am

    The Emergency Department in Hospital Umum Sarawak is rather huge and consists of:

    • Green Zone
    • EDAU
    • CSSD
    • Yellow Zone
    • Yellow Respi Zone
    • Green Yellow Zone
    • Red Zone I
    • Res Zone II
    • Decon

    Usually a House Officer is allocated to take care of more than one zones.

    For example:

    • Green Zone / EDAY / CSSD
    • Yellow Zone / Green Yellow Zone
    • Red Zone I / Red Zone II / Yellow Respi Zone

    When the amount of manpower is high, the job gets done quickly and keeping track of the patients is easier.

    However, in days where we are stretched thin it is rather difficult.

    The Day Shift

    Photo by Laura James on Pexels.com

    Since I entered the Peri Medical Pool on my Day 1 of tagging in the Medical Posting, my working hours were from 7am till 10pm every day till I offtagged.

    I begin my day by first tracing the casenotes of the patients in the zone I am allocated to, snap pictures of the chest x-rays, any relevant radiological reports as well as to trace their bloods.

    If bloods were not taken or not in the system, we would then proceed to “summon” the post-night team for help with their bloods.

    After all the patients have been traced and the Google Lists have been updated (this is to aid us during our rounds as well as following up on their location later, to ensure that they are not being missed), then I would proceed with my morning reviews.

    The morning reviews are just as usual as any morning ward reviews, rounds with the Medical Officer and Specialists and finally carrying out any active joblists.

    Since we are in the emergency department, there is usually no afternoon reviews. It depends on the medical officer. Most of the time, rounds are just once daily.

    After we are done with our morning joblists, we have to actively screen through the patients in our allocated zones as there is constant movement of the patients in both in and out of the emergency department.

    Thus, this means assisting the current on-call team for the day with any STAT bloods or STAT radiological requests as well as updating their progress.

    On most days, it is manageable despite the chaos. However, on days where we are lacking in manpower, the difficulty sets in.

    The Night Shift

    Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels.com

    The night shift begins at 8pm till 9am the following day or until we are done with our “summons”.

    I was blessed enough to have gone through perimedical with a partner. Thus, there were two House Officers allocated for the night shift.

    As night House Officers in Peri-Medical. We are expected to continue screening through all the casenotes for any new joblist or patients in all the zones in the Emergency Department as well as to assist in any procedures, take STAT bloods or request STAT radiological procedures.

    In addition to that, we also have to cover the main building and the side building. This means, if there are any medical patients lodging in non-medical wards, we are in charge of them as well. Most of the time, it is just new transfer ins, sometimes, it is attending to any acute issues.

    This is then followed by taking the “coming mornings” or bloods of the stranded patients in the Emergency Department of the lodging patients.

    The amount of patients in the Medical Department is extremely high and thus, the medical patients can be stranded up to days in the Emergency Department which can even last till they are being discharged.

    Thus, this ensures that the patients are being continued on their treatment irregardless of their location within the hospital.

    The night shift as a perimedical house officer can get rather hectic if there are back-to-back influx of new patients in the Emergency Department, tons of coming mornings as well as acute issues in the ward.

    In the morning, the “summoned” list can get rather extensive and chaotic as well and can be rather endless.

    Hence, on top of the constant walking about the whole hospital, it can get rather tiring. But like I said, it is doable and manageable.

    In fact, I enjoyed life as a perimedical house officer a lot.

    If you are due to join Peri-Medical, fret not. Keep yourselves equipped with necessary forms and just work quick and as fast as you can.

    On some days, one might get lost in the sea of chaos. However, stay strong and know that help is always within reach and that you are not alone.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #bloggingAsADoctor #dailyblog #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1813 #dailyprompt1834 #dailyprompt1836 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1844 #dailyprompt1853 #dailyprompt1855 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1860 #dailyprompt1959 #dailyprompt1962 #dailyprompt1971 #doctor #emergencyDepartment #hospital #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #periMedical #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #writing

    #writing #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #perimedical #medicine #medicalofficer
  20. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My Evening Routine In The Medical Posting | Housemanship Diaries

    Related Posts:

    On most days in the Medical Posting, at least in the hospital that I’m practicing in, we are allocated to work the “Short Day” or “SD” shifts.

    “Short Days” last till 6pm. Occasionally, we would have to work the “Long Day” shift or “LD” which lasts till 10pm or “on-night” which is the night shift.

    On days where I’m allocated to work the short day shift, I try to leave work by 6pm. Most of the time, it is feasible while on some days, it is not so.

    However, my evening routine is pretty much the same upon returning home irregardless of the time I leave work.

    1. Preparing My Dinner

    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    I love to cook. However, considering I live alone, the meals that I prepare are usually many for one person. Thus, I would keep the extra, rendering me an extra meal prepped for a day or two.

    Depending on my mood as well, should I be working the morning shift the following morning and I’m just too exhausted after work and there is no food, I would go for my regular comfort food, instant noodles.

    My version of instant noodles involves sautéing chopped onions, curry leaves, mushrooms and diced chilli before adding the water and mixing the instant sachet powders into the broth. I usually add additional curry powder as I like the broth of my instant noodles to be extra soupy and not dry. Once it has come to a boil, I would crack two eggs into the gravy and boil it for a minute or two before adding “half” of the instant noodles and finally topping with some leafy vegetables.

    Yes, that’s right, I only consume half. My instant noodles are extra soupy and has less noodles.

    Partly because I love adding rolled oats into my broth, thus the whole meal would be too heavy for me if I were to eat all the noodles.

    What do I do with the other half of the uncooked noodles?

    I keep it and usually comes in handy if I were to cook stir fried noodles.

    Photo by Amar Preciado on Pexels.com

    Then, there are evenings where I’m filled with energy and the following day happened to be an allocated off day or my night shift, allowing me to cook something different.

    Nevertheless, irregardless of my dish of choice for the evening, I would always prepare a set of chopped tofu and mushrooms which I would marinade with some oil, salt, crushed black peppers, diced chilli, slides garlic, curry leaves and some curry powder or chilli powder prior to air frying it.

    Thus, by the end of 10 minutes, my dinner would usually be ready.

    2. Resetting My Room

    Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

    I don’t go through a major spring cleaning in the evenings, just simple tiny actions to reset my room back to an “acceptable” state.

    This includes folding my clothes and keeping them back in my cupboard and their designated places, taking out the trash and vacuuming.

    Considering I wash my hair every morning prior going to work, there would be strands of hairs on the floor after drying my hair and dusts and tiny debris begins to gather. Thus, I would vacuum almost every evening.

    Since I live in a studio apartment, this action is merely a 5 minute job.

    3. Preparation For The Next Day

    Photo by Alena Darmel on Pexels.com

    “Your morning begins the night before.”

    I’ve forgotten where I’ve heard this but it’s what I’ve been practicing since I was a kid. Usually the night before, I would know of the set of clothes that I would be wearing the following day.

    Next, I would prepare my jars of cold coffee. I usually save up spaghetti glass bottles or jam bottles to keep my tea or coffees or sometimes to be even used as drinking glasses.

    I usually carry two 1.5L of flasks to work, one of it contains green tea and the other, my special prepped coffee.

    After all of that is done, next would be…

    4. Unwinding for the Day

    Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com

    This begins with me pampering myself with a hot long bath to wash myself of the stench and tiredness of the day, followed by donning myself in a soft, flowy night dress and going about my self-care nighttime routine.

    Only after that would I have dinner as I usually fall into a state of food coma after eating.

    This is then followed by me clearing the dishes for the last time and finally, heading to bed, which on some days, would be as early as 8pm. However, on average, it is usually around 9-10pm.

    This is my evening routine in my Fifth Posting, the Department of Medical, as a House Officer thus far.

    I often get questioned by my fellow colleagues as to why I would even consider cooking considering that there are a lot of steps or effort that goes into the process.

    However, I do not find it tiring at all as it is my version of de-stressing.

    Nothing calms my mind more than listening to music or putting a good show on Netflix while going about my dinner preparations with my phone in “Do Not Disturb” or “Sleep” mode.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #bloggingAsADoctor #cooking #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1813 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1844 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1858 #dailyprompt1862 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1881 #dailyprompt1928 #dailyprompt1941 #dailyprompt1943 #dailyprompt1944 #dailyprompt1951 #dailyprompt1979 #doctor #eveningRoutine #healthcare #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #sarawakGeneralHospital #selfCare

    #selfcare #sarawakgeneralhospital #medicine #medicalofficer #medical #malaysia
  21. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    Working on New Year’s Day (2025)

    Related Posts:

    This will be the second year in a row that I’ve chosen to work on New Year’s Day. If you’ve read my previous similar article last year, I’ve mentioned how my father has this tradition of working on New Year’s Day every year, ever since he started working at the age of 18. It is something that I’ve adapted as well.

    This year, I began my year in the Department of Medical which is my Fifth Posting in my Housemanship Journey. I entered this department on the 11th of December last year.

    Having just off-tagged the week before, I was still allocated in my first pool which is the Perimedical Pool.

    Looking back as it is currently April 2025, at the time of writing this article, I do not quite remember where I was allocated to. I think that I was most probably taking care of the stranded Medical patients in the main building.

    Thankfully, I remembered it not being a hectic day and I was allocated the “short day” shift, meaning that I had the opportunity to return home at 6pm.

    Considering it was New Year’s Day which is a Public Holiday here, things were rather slow and tuned down.

    Thus, it was a rather slowed down and uneventful day, ending with me returning home on time and unwinding early.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #2025 #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #bloggingAsADoctor #dailypost #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1804 #dailyprompt1829 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1836 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1839 #dailyprompt1841 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1853 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1855 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1860 #dailyprompt1862 #dailyprompt1863 #dailyprompt1865 #dailyprompt1945 #doctor #hospitalUmumSarawak #houseOfficer #housemanship #kuching #lifeAsADoctor #Malaysia #medical #medicalOfficer #Medicine #newYear #sarawakGeneralHospital #work #writing

    #writing #work #sarawakgeneralhospital #newyear #medicine #medicalofficer
  22. The Theoretical Doctor @[email protected]

    My Reflection of 2024

    Related Posts:

    Albeit it being March 2025, at the time of writing this article, let’s take a walk down memory lane.

    2024 started with me being in the Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G) Department and ended with me being in the Medical Department.

    Each department has its own sweet memory of which I shall cherish when I reflect upon my days as a House Officer.

    2024 was also the year I took a 6-week-break from my journey as a House Officer, unintentionally, while I was in the Surgical Posting which was a good break indeed. It felt more like a school holiday and I returned home and was being pampered by my family and loved ones.

    Sadly, it was also the time I regained all my weight that I have successfully lost along my journey as a House Officer and have more or less kept it on since then.

    The struggle to lose weight has returned and amidst the busyness, I still somehow managed to eat which certainly did not help with my weight management.

    2024 was also the year I met my partner and best friend as well as his family. My circle of loved ones have been expanded of which I am truly grateful and blessed. Despite being in a long distance relationship, we both try our best to make time for each other everyday which was not at all hard and leaned onto each other for moral support. It made my journey even easier and lovelier.

    In short, 2024 flew by rather quickly just like every year. But, it was a beautiful year, one that’s filled with love and multiple odd and funny experiences as well as important ones.

    There were challenges as well. The year would not be complete or interesting without it. However, I pulled through or else I would not be writing this reflection today.

    As for 2025?

    I’m hopeful and I know , it’s going to be another interesting and beautiful year.

    Related Posts:

    YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Spotify

    About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me

    #2024 #article #Articles #Blog #blogging #bloggingAsADoctor #dailyprompt #dailyprompt1828 #dailyprompt1833 #dailyprompt1838 #dailyprompt1843 #dailyprompt1844 #dailyprompt1852 #dailyprompt1854 #dailyprompt1855 #dailyprompt1856 #dailyprompt1857 #dailyprompt1860 #dailyprompt1861 #dailyprompt1862 #dailyprompt1878 #dailyprompt1884 #dailyprompt1906 #dailyprompt1913 #dailyprompt1915 #dailyprompt1937 #doctor #hospitalUmumSarawak #housemanship #kuching #Malaysia #medical #Medicine #sarawak #sarawakGeneralHospital #writing

    #writing #sarawakgeneralhospital #sarawak #medicine #medical #malaysia
Share on Mastodon

Enter the server where you have an account.