LAOM LUOP 2016

   
 Several written exams, batteries of clinical skills practice, bedside rounds and countless learning issues have practically prepared us to be able to interact with different kinds of patients and in one way or the other manage them at our level. These experiences at school were the once we used during the Rural Health Duties that each of us had.

       To begin with, we were exposed to the birthing center where we went on duty during the night for 12 hours (7pm-7am) and were given the privilege to either manage or assist on a delivery, which was supervised by a trained Public Health Midwife. From the accounts of my classmates though, it was unfortunate that among the 10 rotations during the April 2013 exposure, there were only 2 instances that a laboring mother gave birth on our watch - it would either be that the expectant mother has a prolonged labor that by the time she gave birth we were already off duty, or the better possibility would be that we have fallen asleep and was so deep into it that the delivery took place without us.

     
We were also exposed to an 8-hour duty during consultations where we were allowed to extract history and perform physical assessment on patients, and also to perform simple procedures such as wound dressing, vital signs taking, and writing of prescriptions - which is basically an application of what we have learned during the first year. The experience proved to be a very fruitful one as it helped us develop and improve our skills in handling real patients.

       Overall, the rotations to the Rural Health Unit was all worth it despite the fact that it would mean US (those going to duty) leaving the rest of our group members. This personally made me worry about what they might be eating, or would they be okay back home - a feeling only a FAMILY would feel for each other.