Report of Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Report of Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

 

Country / Regions

Japan

School

Osaka Metropolitan University

Elective period

29th July to 2nd August 2024

 

First, I would like to thank everyone who has involved in this program. I had a great experience that I would never have in Japan. Every day I experienced new things. We observed internal medicine, outpatient, emergency, surgery, primally care for homeless people, so many things. And we also took class of cardiology and how we should see patients, which was so helpful. Entire experience meant a lot for me, but two things are so memorable that I would like to share.

Firstly, I’ll talk about a doctor I met. On the Wednesday morning, I went to observe gastroenterology outpatient to shadow Dr. Schlachterman. I was really impressed by his attitude to patients. He turned his body to the patient, looked them in the eye, and faced them with confidence. His explanations to his patients were very clear and professional. He was very good at building relationship with patient. His attitude was exactly what we are taught to keep in mind at Osaka Metropolitan University, which was very helpful to me in my future career as a doctor.

Second is about medical student in the United States. In the evening on Tuesday, I observed JeffHOPE, which is an organization running by medical students that provides health care for homeless people in Philadelphia. Medical students did medical interviews, triage, physical examinations, prescriptions all by themselves. They divided their members into a triage team, a prescription team, and a medical team, working together to form one medical team. I was really surprised by how all medical students were highly active and motivated.

And when I observed pediatric outpatient and internal medicine team round, I noticed Doctors see medical students as a member of the team as well. They respected medical students and gave them some works that they can do such as medical interview, brief explanation to the patients. I felt those was a great environment for medical students to feel responsibility and aware of professionalism as a medical worker.

Through this exchange, I learned not only about medicine in the United States, but also about attitudes towards studying, how to relate to others, and so many things. Everyone I met was so friendly and hospitable, and made my experience meaningful. I’m very grateful for everyone who was involved. Thank you!