Introduction to Clinical 3rd year

One junior asked me"what is it like in clinical years? What to do? Why need go walk around ward?

So for the benefit of the juniors i will try my best to give an overview of what to expect in 3rd year.

in 3rd year, Students are divided into 4 equal groups. One each for Internal Medicine, Medicine and Society, Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynaecology(O&G) posting.

Before you are posted, all of you will attend a PPD camp. Almost the same like the one you have in 1st year, only thing is the location is different. In my year, its held in Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar,Perak.

Generally, all postings require reading and understanding. The difference with 2nd year is that there is no lecture notes in 3rd year, you have to read book or make your own notes. No more memorising powerpoint slides.
My advice, read and try to get what is the book trying to tell you, and you won't forget the concept. Attempt to memorise word by word will drive you crazy.
There is a saying : Learning medicine only by going to ward is like going to the sea without a map, but learning medicine by reading without going to the ward is like not going to the sea at all.

Therefore, students must go to the wards. What do you do in the wards? Practice for your long case exams:) what in the blue hell is long case? Read here

Going to the wards is not for fun, especially in internal medicine and O&G. Make the ward your learning centre, touch as many patients as you can(appropriately of course)

Next, i'm going through the postings one by one briefly.

Medicine and society--> READ HERE

Internal medicine- my favourite posting. learn a lot from here. Here is where we learn all disease that doesnt require operation (Surgery).

lEssentials of 3rd year Internal Medicine
1)Basic medical knowledge, especially anatomy, pharmacology, physiology and pathology
2) Ward bed side learning--> learning how to take a complete full history, do physical examination the right way and stimulating the brain to think critically.
3) Group study-> conducted IN the ward, not at night in the cafe. Exchange patients, prepare for short cases and prepare for any question that is posed to you by ur colleague, as well as prepare relevant common questions for your colleague.
4) Learn and read at night. Night is a time for self study, not group study. Only when you self study the night before can you contribute to group study the following day. If not, you will be a "blur parasite", not even knowing what you are learning in the group.
5)Do not compare compare yourself to others. If they have different method, let them be. Knowledge should be complete, not used to compete.
6) In approaching a patient, if the patient doesn't entertain you, make an appointment with them. After you have succesfully clerk and examine them, don;t stop there. Visit them regularly and be friends. This way, they will not feel they are being used by you

Surgery--> one of the more relaxed posting. Much to read but not much to do

O&G--> the most feared posting in most medical student's life. So many things to understand, different lecturers have different views, so many things to do, you have to be on call to conduct delivery, dealing with mid-wives in the labour room(who is thankfully nice to male students), getting scolded in front of the patient in ward rounds, the extremely high failure rates in exams etc etc............shortly, i dont like it at all. But you will learn many things here compared to surgery.


To my juniors, if you want guidance in examination, history taking etc, do not feel ashamed to approach your seniors. True, some seniors may not be that enthusiastic, so find those who can bring you to the wards and guide you. If cannot find anyone find me la, dont be shy i wont scold you all one ok :) If i am free sure i will follow u all to wards and teach :) if not free we arrange time......time management haha :P

Enjoy your 3rd year! This is what the rest of your life will be.......so learn to enjoy!(except perhaps in OnG,i still shiver when i hear the name of certain lecturers) XP