An IMG no more
Well, folks, let me tell you this final chapter of the Chronicle of an IMG. It had all come to a head when I along with other three IMGs got accepted to MD IMG program in March.
I have received a long letter that would at each re-read reveal some new secrets to me. One of those was that I was about to join the last party of 2nd year students to study TCP (Transition to Clinical Practice) in internal medicine at the end of April. TCP is as its name applies to a part of the curriculum where the students are being introduced into the world of clinical medicine. Most other med schools who have a separate stream for IMGs to join do so with the beginning of the third year, which is the start of clerkship. In this one though it has been decided that adding us when everyone is in their transition would be easier for us to manage, rather than throwing us directly into clerkship where one is no longer a follower of a tutor around the hospital but has responsibilities.
The students were divided in groups so as not to crowd hospital hallways and got into one with four others. We were assigned to a hospital that just happens to be outside the main metropolitan area, although still thankfully on the island. To give you a better understanding of what that means — it is over 20 kms away from the university campus and to get there I had to use the train. Well, fair enough, I could have also used a bus, but my vestibular system has very strong opinions on them so I try to avoid them whenever feasible. Plus, I liked the train a lot!
During this component we were supposed to go to hospital several times a week and let me tell you — I loved every minute of it! I understand that internal medicine is not everyone’s favourite, the hospital is far, the patients are mainly elderly with comorbidities all over the place, and their medication lists go on and on, but none of it felt like a disadvantage to me. I never thought about it properly, but turns out I missed medicine deeply and when I got into a hospital not as a patient or a visitor, I finally felt that I belonged. This sensation just crowded out everything else in my head.
Another important point — we got very lucky with a tutor. He was the most involved and proactive, friendly and encouraging questions and discussions, and an excellent example of a clinician, as well. And lastly, I got lucky with fellow students: I could not but admire them — they are very knowledgeable and hard working, but at the same time a bunch of well balanced people. I was a bit stressed to have joined the school again, but they have contributed to establishing an amicable and comfortable, dare I say it, even chill atmosphere.
The last component of the second year was a week-long transition to clerkship and the finals for the year. Those have gone more or less as expected. And next week I’ll be starting the clerkship as a Canadian student, it should be fun!
