Song Chan is a final year medical student from the University of Auckland who recently spent his medical elective at the Centre for Adolescent Health (Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne). As a result of his medical elective at the Centre Adolescent Health, Song has already written to the University of Auckland to suggest that they increase the amount of undergraduate teaching on adolescent health!
His highly reflective and appreciative note of thanks is below.
“I believe that the 8 weeks I have spent at the Centre Adolescent Health (CAH) were probably the best weeks in my 6 years of medical school. It is hard for me to pinpoint what exactly made these weeks the best. I came into this elective as a blank canvas and now that I am leaving the CAH I feel that the canvas has been covered with much valuable information given to me by people from all over the health sector.
One of the most important things I’ve learnt in my 2 months on 3 East (the adolescent ward at the RCH) and at the CAH is to propel my thoughts beyond a purely organic diagnosis. In my opinion, medical school tends to promote thinking of purely organic causes and I have learnt to never underestimate the adolescent patient because the adolescent years are just so exceptionally complex. I have learnt many tricks I can take back to New Zealand and use when I see my next young adult patient.
The staff have been nothing but supportive and throughout the 8 weeks while I have endured numerous jokes about being from New Zealand, about sheep and other things Kiwi, the staff I met have all been dedicated in their tasks and took me under their wings to ensure that my time in Melbourne was nothing but sensational.
I leave with many happy memories. I would love to thank in particular Professor Susan Sawyer for the opportunity and Dr Mick Creati for putting up with and supervising me. I would also like to extend my thanks to Dr Daniela Erhard (adolescent registrar) and Dr Tim Brettig (adolescent resident) from the Adolescent Medicine ward team for the countless coffees and entertaining moments we have had together. I just hope I wasn’t too much of an obstacle in the way of your daily work!
Many thanks to you all.”