On Obstetrics and Gynecology
Female reproductive health has fascinated me in the recent years. Honestly, I even considered pursuing residency in this particular field but my interest in psychiatry still surpassed it. However, it still remains a viable second choice in the near future. The current global pandemic has unfortunately detracted from our training as clinical clerks. What should have been an exciting, albeit exhausting, rotation that enabled us to not only learn but apply clinical skills has been relegated to alternative online learning. This was our first entire rotation spent quarantined in our homes and though the setup was understandable and necessary, it was also a great loss. It was, and still is, a testament to the resourcefulness of the faculty who ensured that our education and requirements were met even in such restricted times. We offer our gratitude for their efforts, especially as they continue to serve as front liners in this pandemic. So, instead of dwelling further on experiences we missed, I chose to reminisce on those we found.
What constituted alternative online learning for this rotation? It was primarily composed of lectures, admission conferences, and reporting. With lectures, our theoretical knowledge on obstetrical and gynecologic procedures and diseases was not only reinforced but tested as well. Admission conferences kept us updated on the events occurring in the hospital and how cases were dealt with during such a critical period of disease outbreak. Reporting, though minimal and seldom, bolstered our confidence in presenting clinical histories and physical examinations to senior medical professionals and experts. These eventually led to a revalida and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) on the most important obstetric and gynecologic topics. It was conducted one-on-one with a resident and the fact that we were mere months away from attaining our doctorate didn’t lessen the anxiety involved with the experience.
Adaptation is a necessity for us to progress with our training, given the current circumstances we face. However, therein lays a potential concern that may arise in the near future. Hopefully, our peers and future patients don’t see our momentary limited experience as a means to invalidate our efforts and degree. The year we’ll spend after graduation working as post-graduate interns and the subsequent licensure exam should assure them of our competence. As for now, it is more important to continue learning even through alternative ways while we wait for our return to the hospital instead of remaining stagnant.
