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Surgery placement

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I am sitting at the inside glass walled kirurgitorget at akuten (emergency) at NÄL, Trollhättan. The doctor I was supposed to shadow is nowhere to be found. In the room there is a Swedish looking doctor with no sense of humor who tells me he is actually Czech, another one who looks like a foreigner but turns out to be Swedish studying medicine in another EU country. The third one is a Swedish medical student who has yet to go one whole year to get her degree. She is working as underläkare (junior doctor) and is free to use the journalling system and has right to prescribe medicines etc. They are trying to be formal and nice to me and trying to explain something to me like a beginner. I suddenly feel like an outsider, and am strongly reminded of the fact that I come from outside EU, still struggling to be a part of the system. I feel like I want to disappear from there, as I am actually not needed, nor am I doing any good. So I take the earliest chance and go from there. Fast, fast, home!

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I am at children's hospital Drottning Sylvia in Gothenburg. I see a 1.5 year old with being recovered from anesthesia. He can't breathe and I feel like my heart is going to burst. The other doctors are very calm, but they are trained to do so. All I know and see is a baby just like my own, too small to fit on the operation table. So I hold his hand till he starts breathing 1.5 hours later. Just from one mom to another.

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Orthopedics placement, Room 1 at Mölndal hospital. The EU doctor we are shadowing is very smart but doesn't really have time to 'teach' us, but he happily answers questions.
He turns to us and hands a referral. What is this? I cast a blink on it and understand it's a typical case of 'trokanterit'. The doctor seems impressed. I take pride for a moment. Like a good student. Lol.

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Trauma simulation day at simulator centrum at Östra hospital. It's my turn to play 'ambulance personnel' and bring the 'patient' to the room. The teacher takes me aside to explain the case scenario that I'm going to tell the 'medical team'. Our group's most celebrated teacher looks me in the eye and says, du är sååå duktig Nosheen! Based on my presence of mind and sense of ethics as 'nurse' in the previous case. Later, during the second case, the teacher appreciates me again (through the headset that 'ambulance personnel' get).
This is my best day of this course so far. I feel so good at being appreciated. At the same time I start thinking about my future in medicine (which is good, considering the hopelessness lately). I'm thinking about a field where my clinical skills will be most of use. I'm thinking if it would be a good idea for me to work in emergency departments (as A&E, akutläkare). I'm wondering if paediatrics is the best option for me and why do I like it in the first place?

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Comments

  1. HaniFebruary 24, 2015 at 6:53 PM

    You deserve the best Nosheen ....Continue :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2015 at 11:43 PM

    I really appreciate you keeping us up to date with your struggles and triumphs. You are great example to us all through this though journey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NosheenApril 16, 2015 at 8:08 PM

      Thanks for kind words! :)

      Delete
    2. dr nasreenMay 15, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      Doctor nosheen i am a fresh doctor from pakistan moving to sweden soon will you guide me how i am going to enter their health system

      Delete
    3. NosheenJanuary 22, 2016 at 10:14 PM

      Hi, I've posted a lot about that in my earlier posts.

      Delete
  3. dr nasreenMay 15, 2015 at 8:31 AM

    Dr Nosheen AOA
    I am interested in doing post graduation in sweden do I have to pass some exam As PLAB for UK and USMLE for USA . do they accept doctors from Pakistan .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NosheenMay 15, 2015 at 11:58 AM

      w.salam
      Yes you do have to pass an exam in Swedish language or complete your degree. My whole blog is about it. Welcome to read it :)

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJuly 25, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    Dr nosheen AOA,i am medical graduate did my MBBS in Romania,if you dont mind i want to ask you few questions that after getting the registration from socialstryelson is it easy to enter specialist medical training(ST).Which level of Swedish language is required..i heard some hospitals particularly in north area can arrange language course for upcoming dcotors ,,do you have any info about this..sorry for asking you lot pf questions and disturbing you.thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NosheenNovember 11, 2015 at 10:07 PM

      I've not heard anything about specialization being difficult to find. Depends on what field you choose may be. No idea about such a language course.

      Delete

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