What's special about the 1-month "hospital" diary of a medical student at Dai Nam University?

“A month passed so quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the valuable clinical internship at Xanh-Pon General Hospital has come to an end. After a month of “hospitalization”, I – a third-year medical student – am more confident, more mature, more loving and proud than ever of my chosen major and career. Thank you, teachers of the Faculty of Medicine, for your dedication in teaching and guiding me! Thank you for the wonderful experiences with special “favors” that Dai Nam University has brought to students of the Health sector in general and students of the Medical sector in particular… Grateful and appreciative of every opportunity to study and accumulate practical experience during my “hospitalizations”…”

Those are the shares of Thai Le Thao Lam - student of class YK 14-01, Faculty of Medicine, Dai Nam University in her "hospital" diary.

Dai Nam University Medical students on their first day of clinical internship at Xanh-Pon General Hospital.

Only you can remove your own psychological barriers.

First day…

The first day we arrived at Xanh-Pon General Hospital, the beginning of a series of days of “hospitalization”. An important milestone in the learning journey of medical students. We brought with us the hope, trust and dedication of our teachers – the ones who taught and cared for us.

Day 2…

There was too much curiosity and fear, not daring and not knowing what to do. I still had many barriers in communication, not daring to contact doctors and ask about patients' illnesses. The first lesson started with the Head of the Department of Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology - Nephrology on how to take an internal medical history.

Each group of students is divided into departments and rooms and has a doctor to guide the practice directly.

Day 3…

It’s been half a week, I’ve met many friends from many schools who are doing internships in the same department. I’m a little more motivated. I’ve actively talked to and asked about the health of many patients in the department. I’ve found everyone to be very approachable and comfortable. Communication barriers are gradually being removed…

Day 4…

Measuring blood pressure of patients every morning is the way I remember many patients and get closer to them. I tell myself that I will try to open up and communicate with more patients. The first medical record review session of a patient with symptoms of “angina” with Dr. Trung.

Day 5…

So the first week full of confusion and many lessons has ended. The doctors gave me a lot of advice and guidance during the ward visits. Every day I learned a little more, I felt how much “smarter” I was, more confident and especially no longer had any psychological barriers. I realized a truth: Only I can remove my own psychological barriers…

More confidence, more maturity, and more love for the profession are the "sweet fruits" that Thai Le Thao Lam and the Dai Nam Medical students reaped after more than 1 month of "going to the hospital".

Day 6…

First shift of the week and also the first shift of my life. Learning through the department's electronic medical records.

Saturday…

Today is the weekend and there are so many patients coming in. The hospital is overloaded, there are not enough beds, patients have to share beds, it is very tiring. I feel sorry and sympathize! I want to share and the only way I can do is to communicate with the patients more, using politeness and kindness to "soothe". Only then do I understand why in class, teachers often emphasize: "Doctors need to have a kind heart".

Dai Nam Medical students "camp out" at the hospital, study clinical all day, work nights like real doctors..., dispelling the rumor of "riding horses to see flowers"

Day 8 + 9…

Direct examination of patients under the guidance of the attending physician.

Today I attended the annual meeting of the Kidney Transplant Club chaired by the Department of Internal Medicine II. I listened to 3 reports from doctors about things to note after a kidney transplant. There was a lot of useful knowledge that is not found in books. I clearly felt that Vietnamese doctors are very good, Vietnamese medicine is also very developed, the ocean of knowledge is vast, I felt so small and had to make an effort every day, every hour because I chose the medical profession.

Day 10…

The "gastrointestinal bleeding" class with Dr. Kien brought me "into life" with symptoms that seemed worthless but were very useful in diagnosis and differentiation. The first time I examined and felt an enlarged liver and kidneys, the feeling of my hands was wonderful. Whoever said that medical students who do clinical internships only "ride horses to see flowers", standing in the hallway waiting for the end of the day to go home is "wrong"! We, medical students of Dai Nam University, get to study and work like real doctors.

Day 11…

The “Electrocardiogram” class by Dr. Viet – Department of Cardiology helped me learn more about difficult electrocardiograms. A lot of new knowledge opened my eyes. An unforgettable night shift. At this moment, I remember the words of Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Trung Kien: “Dai Nam Medical students “camp” at the hospital, study clinical all day, and work at night like a real doctor…”

Day 12…

Today we had a medical record examination with Dr. Kien, Department of Internal Medicine II. He examined the medical records very enthusiastically and meticulously, giving us a lot of valuable and useful experiences. Last day of internship at the department.

Never allow yourself to “give up”

Day 13 + 14…

New week, welcome to a new department – Cardiology. The initial naivety is gone but I am still a bit confused because each department has its own characteristics and working style.

Day 15 + 16…

There was a nagging feeling in my heart. The lack of communication and leadership made me feel unsteady.

Day 17…

The class on examining heart failure patients with Dr. Thanh in the hospital room helped me feel more excited. I told myself: Even though there are times when I am tired and uncertain, I must never allow myself to “give up”.

…

Day 22…

The first lesson of the week with Dr. Son was about patients with edema and difficulty breathing. After a period of questions and answers and teaching from the textbook, we were able to examine patients directly and compare the differences between patients with edema and difficulty breathing due to different causes. We will try to have more interesting and practical lessons.

Clinical practice with doctors at the hospital.

Day 23…

Today we learned more about hematological symptoms. Patients have enlarged livers, enlarged spleens, anemia, etc. Since there are no patients yet, today we will be taught and reminded of the symptoms.

…

Day 27…

Exams are coming up next week. Counting down the days, I feel much more scared than taking exams at school. Reviewing how to examine the respiratory system with Dr. Hiep at the department.

Day 28…

Continue the learning journey by going to the ward with the doctors, asking about the medical condition of 1-2 patients. Prepare medical records for tomorrow's study.

Day 29…

Lesson on patients with symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with the head doctor. She lectured very enthusiastically, went through the medical history in detail and gave us additional symptoms to differentiate.

Day 30…

A session of medical history and learning about Pneumonia with Dr. Hiep. I asked her more about some ways to write a preliminary diagnosis and differential diagnosis. She answered and guided me very enthusiastically.

Day 31…

Today the instructor met with all the clinical groups to remind them a little about the exam schedule, things to note and asked us questions. Countdown to the exam date…

Day 32…

Today I was asked to go to the infectious disease department, which is a unit with the respiratory department. At first, I was a bit confused by the name, but after the doctors explained the diseases, I felt less scared.

…

A month passed so quickly, and in a flash, the valuable clinical internship at Xanh-Pon General Hospital has come to an end. After a month of “hospitalization”, I – a third-year medical student – am more confident, more mature, more loving and proud than ever of my chosen major and career. Thank you, teachers of the Faculty of Medicine, for your dedication in teaching and guiding me! Thank you for the wonderful experiences with special “favors” that Dai Nam has brought to students of the Health sector in general and students of the Medical sector in particular… Grateful and appreciative of every opportunity to study and accumulate practical experience during “hospitalizations”…”

Hospital clinical internship diary - Student Thai Le Thao Lam - Class YK 14-01