I Went to Australia in the Hope of Acquiring Effective Methods to Study Clinical Medicine

Four Weeks In Plastic & Facio Maxillary Surgery

Nguyen Hoang Minh (Vietnamese Medical Student – HanoiMedicalUniversity)

I went to Australia in the hope of acquiring effective methods to study clinical medicine involved in Plastic & Facio maxillary surgery, which is one of the necessary specialitiesinVietnam because of high rate of facial trauma in motorbike accidents. Actually, I gained considerably much more. In four weeks, I received warm care from The Học Mãi Foundation, intensive way to study clinic, as well as visiting the Australian unique landscapes.

First of all, I felt happy and warmly under The Học Mãi Foundation’s attention. I met Rhondda Glasson from The Học Mãi Foundation at the airport. She took me to the Greenwich Village Accommodation, the University of Sydneyand attentively cared for me during the period I stayed in Sydney like my mother. Moreover, my teachers and I were invited to the lunch in Rhondda’s house. It was really an unforgettable memory. Although Professor Bruce Robinson was very busy, hespent much time talking with Vietnamese Scholars in party,thus making us feel significantly touched.

Secondly, The Học Mãi Foundation has provided me with a valuable opportunity to acquire effective methods to learn medicine and work in hospital as well. I was very lucky to participate in my Plastic surgery team, including my supervisor – Dr John Vandervord, three registrars – Dr Anita Jatan, Dr David Steward, Dr Rowan Gilles and other doctors in Severe Burn Unit, RoyalNorthShoreHospital. All of them were very enthusiastic. They gave me chancesto take part in Plastic meetings, surgeries, ward rounds as well as clinical examinations. I always tried my best to attend all Plastic meetings,even though Plastic meetings started quite early at 6.45 am. In these meetings, doctors analyzed each case together to obtain experiences so that I could improve my clinical knowledge considerably. Additionally, what I like the best was participating insurgery. In there, I was allowed to assist doctors in Plastic operations, there bybeing able to learn operative skills, the ways to analyze and conduct appropriate treatments in different cases from surgeons. In clinic, I was taught not only professional knowledge but also the way to approach patients. When examining patients, my registrars usually showed me abnormal signs of patients and gave me clear explanation about whatever I did not understand. I also found that my registrars always treated patients with respect, consideration. They always fully answered all patients’questions, carefully explained patients’problems. Furthermore, I could see how effectively the team work. Even though all members in my team have their own responsibilities and schedules, they are still willing to support each other in any circumstance. Besides, one of the achievements attained from this elective course is that I gain studying way from Australian medical students.I got acquainted with some Australian medical students in library. When knowing me as an elective medical student from Vietnam, they invited me to join their studying group to discuss about case studies. Due to these case studies, we could consolidate knowledge from subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Image Diagnosis to make final diagnosis and suitable treatment. This studying way is really helpful.

I love environment and landscape in Australia very much. Fresh air, luxuriant trees as well as a wide variety of colorful flowers booming on streets created wonderful and peaceful scene that made me feel pleasant. At weekends, I spent most of time discoveringmagnificentlandscapes in Sydney including Sydney Opera House, Darling Habour, SydneyTower, Sydney Wildlife World, and Aquarium. Therefore, I was able to directly observe well – known Australian fauna such as kangaroo, koala, wombat, emu. I really had wonderful time in Sydney.

I would like to thank to The Học Mãi Foundation for providing me with an essential opportunity to study in Sydney. This course not only helped me to gain intensive and effective ways to study clinic but also encouraged me in my passion of being Plastic & Faciomaxillary surgeon. I do hope to return to Australia in thefuture.