My name is Maike J?ger; I’m a 22 years old
medicine student from Frankfurt, Germany. In August 2016 I participated in an
exchange program of the German Chinese Society for Medicine and got the chance
to experience the work life in Tongji hospital in Wuhan as part of a four
weeks’ medical internship.
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The first two weeks I worked at the general
gynaecology ward. I was allowed to view all different kind of gynaecological
operations and interventions. One of the many highlights was a caesarean section
with drillings. I could also take part in the everyday work of the doctors,
could assist with wound dressings and examinations. I learned a lot about gynaecological
surgery and was impressed by the great team work and positive atmosphere in the
operating room. It was quite instructive for me to experience a different way
of clinical work and problem solving strategies. All the doctors and especially
my English and partly German speaking supervisors took great effort in
explaining the processes and medical procedures to me. I felt quite welcomed
and enjoyed this time a lot.
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The last two weeks I got the chance to
experience and learn about Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM). Every morning
other exchange students and me got a little lecture and afterwards patients,
treated with TCM methods, were presented to us. Some days we were allowed to
follow the ward round or we could try and practice TCM techniques with the
lecturer. I found it quite interesting how TCM is part of many therapies, as an
adjuvant in In Vtro Fertilisation therapy, as party of neurological
rehabilitation or general prevention measures. The lecturers and supervisors
always gave their best to explain the complex systems and relations of TCM to
us especially focusing on our different cultural background.
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Looking back to theses four weeks it was an
absolutely unique and special experience for me. Apart from many positive and
interesting impressions I got in Tongji hospital I have learned a lot about
Chinese culture and people. Wuhan is a wonderful, vibrant and fascinating city;
I’m glad that I had such a long time to explore it.
Many thanks to the doctors, lecturers, to the
Chinese medical students, to my supervisors and finally to the German Chinese
Society for Medicine!?
