Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Clara Poon
Charmayne Kam
During my 4-day clinical attachment programme, I had the privilege of being mentored by Dr. Clara Poon, a renal physician at Princess Margaret Hospital. Under her guidance, I gained invaluable insights into a doctor’s daily routine.
During my time at the outpatient clinic, I observed Dr. Poon’s interaction with patients, witnessing her ability to diagnose and manage a wide range of renal conditions. I learned about the importance of thorough medical histories, physical examinations and the interpretation of diagnostic tests.
Under Dr. Poon’s guidance, I learned to interpret AV fistula ultrasound images at the Nephrology Day Center. I also gained insight into the challenges faced by both haemodialysis patients and peritoneal dialysis patients by meeting them at the dialysis center.
In the wards, Dr. Poon demonstrated her expertise in coordinating multidisciplinary care. Besides, her way of delivering unfortunate news to patients has allowed me to recognise the importance of effective communication and empathy in medicine.
Overall, the experience was enriching and it provided me with a comprehensive view of the daily responsibilities and challenges faced by a renal physician.
Mentor: Dr Chow Yuen Hon Francis
Andressa Mak & Alvina Lee
On 18-19 July, we were very lucky to have an opportunity to shadow Dr. Chow, during which we gained a lot of knowledge on Orthopaedics and Traumatology, as well as had invaluable insight into the daily life of a specialist doctor.
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During the job shadowing session, we observed how Dr. Chow interacts with different patients, through which we learnt the importance of good communication skills, as a good doctor would need to communicate in a clear and precise tone so that patients can easily understand their own conditions. We have also learnt that each diagnosis is done in a systematic way and it is essential for a good doctor to stay organised at all times.
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Moreover, Dr Chow patiently explained to us the causes and treatment for different orthopaedic disorders, such as hallux valgus and paronychia. Overall, we learnt a lot on our two days shadowing Dr. Chow, which further fuelled our understanding and interest in pursuing medicine in the future!
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Mentor: Dr Kotewall
Tanya Cheng
I was privileged to have the opportunity to shadow Dr Kotewall at Queen Mary Hospital on the 19th and 20th of July.
My first day started with observing Dr Kotewall performing 6 colonoscopies, followed by an afternoon session in the outpatient clinic. On the second day, I was fortunate enough to enter the operation theatre to watch 2 surgical operations, including an operation to extract part of a huge tumour located between the liver and pancreas to examine the nature of the tumour and another operation that used RFA to reduce the size of a tumour located inside the liver.
Shadowing Dr Kotewall was an eye-opening and enriching experience as I gained a deeper understanding of the daily routine of a general surgeon and the qualities of a good doctor. Dr Kotewall has also shared some of his personal experiences as a medical student and doctor, which was inspiring to me. I have gained a larger exposure to the medical industry through this programme and it has motivated me to work in this field.
Mentor: Dr. Lorraine Sinn (Hong Kong Women’s Imaging)
Janice Lee & Katie So
We were grateful to have had the valuable opportunity to shadow Dr. Lorraine Sinn, a radiologist at Hong Kong Women’s Imaging, on August 14th and 16th, 2023. It was truly enlightening to witness the advancements in radiology, such as the utilization of 3D mammograms, as well as observe procedures like the vacuum-assisted biopsy and ultrasound imaging. Dr. Sinn was not only welcoming and friendly, but she was also very knowledgeable. She emphasized the significance of empathy and consent in the field of medicine, demonstrating professionalism in various clinical situations.
During the debriefing sessions, she imparted not only clinical knowledge but also provided invaluable guidance regarding our future career paths, offering realistic insights into the experiences of doctors working in both the public and private sectors in Hong Kong. Her advice on career paths and her own experiences provided us with invaluable guidance.
We greatly admire Dr. Sinn’s dedication to her profession and her unwavering commitment to delivering optimal treatment and care to her patients. This program was undeniably rewarding and further kindled our passion for medicine.
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Mentor: Dr. Theresa Wong (Paediatrician)
Winkie Lim
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On 17 August 2023, I was given the precious opportunity to shadow Dr. Theresa Wong, a paediatrician. This experience has provided me with a profound insight into the daily life of a doctor. Throughout the day, I observed Dr. Wong’s interaction with patients and their families, which deeply highlighted the importance of patience, compassion, and empathy, particularly when working with young children. Toys and stickers were used to distract and calm young children during the diagnosis process, which helped to create a more comfortable and reassuring environment to ease any fears the children may have. In addition, I was able to observe the meticulous attention to detail in the clinic, particularly the effective infection control measures which separated patients with and without infectious symptoms.
Furthermore, Dr. Wong offered me in-depth insights into the Hong Kong medical system and shared her daily routine as a paediatrician. I was truly impressed by her dedication to the well-being of her patients despite her tight schedule in both the hospitals and the clinic.
