Date : Sunday, June 17, 2012
Time : 10:50 PM
Title : Information in Mind

After beginning my internship programme at CGC, there is never a day that I don't feel like getting up for work. (: No Monday Blues as well. That's a great sign, at least to me. It means that I'm really enjoying myself there, and loving what I'm experiencing & learning.

Just a sudden urge to pen down all my random thoughts and feelings about the first 5 weeks of my internship. I feel that I should record such priceless experience somewhere. Don't intend to write them down manually though, just lazy.

I just hope that I didn't disclose any confidential information here. I apologize if I did, and will remove them promptly.

My Supervisor - N
I am really lucky to have N as my supervisor. She is a really nice, supportive, encouraging, understanding lady. And is always pushing me on. I strongly believe that I will learn a lot under her guidance. (: TBH, I'm still a little intimidated by her. Well, she's my supervisor afterall, right? I've been trying hard not to worry about how she assesses me, and to make myself worry less about making mistakes. I mean, internship is an opportunity for us to gain experience and learn from mistakes, isn't it? Trying really hard to overcome my own obstacle. She has also been "satisfying" my limitless demands and requests for sit-in observations etc.

Inpatient Ward Rounds at IMH
I had been attending inpatient ward rounds at IMH several times. Honestly, it is very different from what I was expecting. Speaking of ward rounds, initially I had the idea that doctors/psychiatrists will be the one walking round the wards and visiting each inpatient (IP), but it isn't the case! Psychiatrists (Consultants, Medical Officers), psychologists, medical social workers, special ed teachers, nurses are all gathered in the conference room. Different IP's basic information was written on the large whiteboard - e.g. Initials, Diagnosis (Dx), Date of Admission (DOA). Then psychiatrists will go through the case files of each IP, and then get updates from the nurses about the IP's behaviors. When needed, IP will then be called into the conference room where they receive interviews from the psychiatrists, psychologists, etc.

Through these ward rounds, I get to see IP with different Dx, and how questioning was done to obtain essential information about IP's condition. It was an eye-opener for me, someone who has only been hearing about those disorders from lectures and never seen it in real-life.

During my first visit, I'm very clear that I was a little afraid of interacting and talking with some of the IP. I feel that I have to overcome such fear, and treat them as individuals instead of their disorders. I'm glad that I overcame such fear by taking a big step in chatting with them during my third visit there. After interacting with them, I realized that some of them are actually like me, just a normal individual! Not knowing they had a Dx, I would believe they are just like you and me, or anyone on the street.

I have another 2 more opportunities to attend the ward rounds, and I hope I can really learn something more from it. (:

Dr. Daniel Fung's Clinic Sit-In
I had sat in for Dr. Daniel Fung's clinic. To me, it was such a golden chance and an honour to be learning from him. Seeing how he talks to existing clients and how he interviewed new clients, I learnt techniques that the school's lectures do not provide us with! These hands-on techniques really comes with experience in the field. I was really grateful to be able to pick up some of these skills from him through his clinic sit-in.

Background information about Dr.Daniel Fung
- Adjunct A/Prof at DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School, NUS, NTU
- Consultant Psychiatrist
- Chairman Medical Board at IMH
- Chief, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at IMH

Dr.Lim Choon Guan's Clinic Sit-In
Personally, I preferred Dr.Lim's clinic sit-in. One reason because he would briefly explain the Dx and certain basic information about IP to me before the IP comes in. This gives me a brief idea of what should I be expecting. Furthermore, he does not appear to be arrogant, and that he knows everything well. He admits he wasn't very knowledgeable about a particular disorder, and even offers to look it up on the web, together with me! Oh well, I have been looking up to him after seeing how he interacts with the little girl when he needs to draw her blood. At such a young age, he had achieved such a high position and not forgetting about his publications. I had learnt many techniques from Dr.Lim, like what I did from Dr.Daniel Fung's clinic. All these skills are valuable, and I believe it would be beneficial to me.

Background information about Dr.Lim Choon Guan
- Consultant Psychiatrist
- Deputy Chief, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at IMH

New 'Friend'
DQ - my new 'friend' (that's what my supervisor said). He was the very first IP that I chatted with, alone. While I was waiting for Dr.Lim's clinic, DQ approached me, and initiated a chat. He told me his Dx, and many other stuff. It was really interesting to be talking to someone like him. Well, I had never had such experience/exposure. It was my very first time.

Unfortunately, I saw him during my second inpatient ward rounds at IMH. I realized that he was admitted to IMH 2 days after I saw him. Seeing him at the ward round wasn't something good. But to my astonishment (and everyone else in the room), he actually recognized me and remembered my name. Saw him again on my third ward round visit, this time round I spent more time chatting with him after the ward visit. Idk what I can do as an intern or as a 'friend' that could help him. What I know is that I am treating him like a normal individual, at least that's something I could do for him. Idk if he would listen to me or take my words/advice seriously. I just hope I need not see him again on my fourth ward visit.

Somehow, I think I will remember him for life. He seems to create an unforgettable episode in my life, and he was part of my learning journey. (:

Occupational Therapy - Gym Session
It was really amazing to see how gym therapy session helped children with different disorders. And also, from observing how these children interact with the equipment, the occupational therapist can noticed so much things about them. There is definitely more for me to learn about it! Probably being a play therapist could be fun! :D

Exposure Therapy - OCD Case; Dr. Sharon Sung 
I'm really thankful for Dr.Sharon Sung and the IP for allowing me to sit in and observe their therapy session. It was my first time seeing how an exposure therapy was being carried out. Although it was only one session so far, I think I can learn even more things in the upcoming possible sitting in sessions. (:

Downside - STATS!
Oh well.. The downside of my internship is none other than Stats! It's killing me! I sincerely hope that my colleagues will understand that I'm really noob with Stats, and be patient and forgiving towards my kindergarten level of Stats knowledge.