I spent the last 4 days in Hainan Island, China. Yes I’m Hainanese and I do speak the meagre basics of the dialect. I was there on a medical and social mission trip.
The attendance roll boasted 3 plastic surgeons, 2 anaesthetists, 1 dermatologist, 1 GP, 1 gastroenterologist and 1 MO. 3 medical students (2 from Monash – though I don’t know the other one) also joined in the medical ops in the village of Song Heng.
I initially helped out controlling the rowdy crowd outside the consulting rooms but soon I ‘upgraded’ to helping out in the makeshift operation theatre. You see, I have an interest in surgery so I was pleading and begging to get to help out there – for experience as well.
We did just some minor surgeries but that’s where you start off right? – the small things first. So I scrubbed in for many lumpectomies, removal of sebaceous cysts. A reknowed plastic surgeon, an A/Prof to be exact, talked me through some of the procedures though he was reluctant to let me get involved.
I understood that it was because of public scrutiny of the operation and also my inexperience that was the reason. In missions, we have to serve wherever we can do best – and a medical student definitely can’t do his best in the OT.
But the tides of luck changed for me as another plastic surgeon allowed me to assist him in his operations. He too taught me plenty of interesting stuff.
Best part – I got to do a surgery of MY OWN. Yes – flying solo. From incision to suture – everything. Though it was a small lipoma that I removed, I was ecstatic. Which holidaying first year medical student gets a chance like this. (Don’t worry, I did the job cleanly and well and the plastic surgeon looking over my shoulder)
What I Learnt:
1. Missions are good places for medical students to pick up experience.
2. You have to first love to serve before you can enjoy yourself like I did.
3. I will definitely sign up for the next big mission trip that comes my way!
WHOA! shiok bo! i also want to cut and sew. haha too bad i got no mission to go.