Pediatrics

Before I summarize my day, I wanted to bring up something that I have been thinking about in regards to my writing. I know it is often said that Americans are egotistical about the United States, and tend to be ethnocentric, thinking the United States is better than every country. It has crossed my mind that I might have come off as such during my writing, and I just wanted to clarify. I do not believe that we are better than anybody else; rather I know that every country does things a little bit differently. I most certainly know that I sometimes prefer the methods used in the United States simply because that is what I am familiar with; just as anybody else with their home countries and associated customs. It is comfortable and familiar, and we tend to lean towards the two in all regards. While writing, I know that I compare the United States with South Africa, and that is purely because it is the only other thing I know well enough to compare it to.
As for my day, it was quite long and full. We started rounds with Dr. Ramji in the general pediatrics clinic today, and he is an absolutely astounding doctor. He makes sure to take his time to explain things thoroughly enough that you understand, and clarifies if you don’t. He makes you think about things critically, and actively involves you in the conversation, which is the most effective way to learn. He is such an intelligent man, and knows his stuff very well. It was so great to follow him around today. King Edward’s is a teaching hospital because it is on the premise of the University, so there were many other interns (doctors finishing their fellowship) and students in the midst of school that came along on rounds with Dr. Ramji, Miles and I. One of the interns had gone around to all of the patients to familiarize himself with each before Dr. Ramji and the two of us had arrived. So, the first thing we did was go around quickly to each patient while the intern gave us a brief case study of each child and what he was doing for them, or what he was thinking should be done for treatment. The doctor would ask the intern why he decided such treatments or diagnoses in order to solidify his understanding and confidence in his knowledge, and would explain things along the way to help with both. But, this was rather quick and quite un-thorough. We waited just a little bit until some of the other interns and students were out of a meeting to start going through each patient’s cases more thoroughly. This was what was really informative and great for my understanding today. We spend around 30-50 minutes with each patient, examining the doctor’s notes, test results, x-rays, medical history, and the patient. He explained the notes, test results and diagnoses very well, asked us questions to make sure we understood, let us feel and see the things he was explaining on the patient, or on the x-rays etc. It was so informative and I really felt like I learned first-hand today.

We saw a lot of pretty sick children. The ward was packed! Rounds took an extremely long time; my feet were starting to hurt from standing for that amount of time. There were children in the ward for everything; diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition, pneumonia, HIV, respiratory issues, measles, cardiac arrest, acidosis, fevers and such. Dr. Ramji gave us stethoscope tips and let us examine all of the patients with him. He slowly showed us everything that he wrote in the notes (all that he was seeing, findings from examination, etc), showed us his findings from the x-rays and blood results, what he was thinking was wrong based on all of these, explained why he figured it to be such, what he can do for the patient, what is the best method, why he will prescribe medication and which kinds, and the final treatment or tests he is ordering for the patient. It was so great, and I really appreciated all of the time he spent with us.