My year of community service in Oudtshoorn is drawing to a close and it has been quite an experience. Working in the periphery is a whole different ball game with its own challenges and frustrations, but also plenty of growth opportunities. I can honestly say that I would have turned out a totally different doctor … Continue reading Medicine over the Mountain
Life
Junior Doctors
Junior doctors. We spend our entire day caring for people, trying to save their lives. When spend 26 hours at a time on our feet, looking after people during their illness. When we go home after those 26 hours, our exhausted brains don’t stop thinking about the patients we saw during our shift. We continue … Continue reading Junior Doctors
Perspective
Things I would say to my patients if I changed my perspective. I suppose blood running from your nose is terrifying, especially if it's never happened before. Is that why you come to casualty for a simple nosebleed? It must feel strange to have to take medication when you don’t feel sick. Is that why … Continue reading Perspective
#unemployeddoctors
I started my internship in January 2016. I was terrified. People’s actual lives were now in my hands. At the same time I was excited. This is what I had dreamt about since I was five years old and told my mom I was going to work in a “hostiple” one day. It was the … Continue reading #unemployeddoctors
The Roof of Africa
This isn't a really a medicine-related post. It's about my experience climbing Kilimanjaro, something I did when I was on leave. When I was supposed to be putting work aside. But you know how it goes, you can take the doctor out of Medicine but not the other way around. Everyday something reminded me of … Continue reading The Roof of Africa
Welcome to Obs and Gynae
Today was my first day in Obs and Gynae, and as first days go, it was quite something. It started spectacularly, with the most beautiful sunrise I have seen in a while. I even considered taking to a detour to the parking lot to get a good photo (I have a sunrise/sunset/Instagram problem - I … Continue reading Welcome to Obs and Gynae
There’s a first for everything…
As expected, this year has brought me many firsts. Mostly good, some bad, all interesting. I've picked a few to share with you. 1. First time operating (not assisting): Last week I printed a surgery report with my name next to the words 'Surgeon 1'. Okay, it was a really straight forward skin graft, and … Continue reading There’s a first for everything…
jessicaaugusta 