Disgruntled Ranting

As an incoming senior (hopefully) by this December, I can't help but feel a little disappointed by what's happening at the helm. I'm not talking about my immediate seniors, as they have done a super job of keeping it all together (somewhat) and not letting everything fall apart at the seams, especially our current chief resident.

I'm talking about the people a step above them.. I won't mention names o even the title we give them lest I offend anyone without directly meaning to.

It all began with the change of system. They thought that it would be better to replace the old system of "teams", which in my opinion works really well given our setting in this hospital, and applied a new system of "posts" which is in accordance with PCP rules. Now I'm in no position to say what is supposedly right, but why must you replace something that has already worked really well in the past? Under the old teams system, the continuity of patient care is not interrupted. Duty admits, takes care of, and discharges the patient. It is that same group which is responsible for the follow up of their own patients after discharge, thus ensuring that there is no break in the chain of health care. Under the new system which is being used in the other more "prestigious"institutions, the residents have well-defined posts which they cycle through every month. While this setup may be ideal for the second year level (as they really do have their own posts anyway due to subspecialties), I strongly feel that the learning of the first years is severely compromised. Patients aren't that well taken cared of, and the work and responsibility is merely passed around. The only winner in this equation is the Pay ward, wherein the patients are ought to be better served not only by the consultants that they were admitted under, but by the rest of the hospital staff as well. It is unfair to expect that majority of the problems encountered by the patient would be shouldered by the RODs. Even blood extractions (which is SUPPOSEDLY the responsibility of the laboratory staff) is often referred to the Interns (in effect, affecting the work of the RODs). It would be nice to see the rest of the hospital work more efficiently for a change.. Is that too much to ask?..

Ok, so I kinda digressed that time. The point I intend to really get across is due to the fickle-mindedness of some individuals, who I seriously think have lost touch with reality, the quality of training suffers. The setting of very unrealistic expectations and goals for an inappropriate situation would affect the trainees the most. This is very dangerous, not only for the careers of those at the bottom, but for the patients as well. No matter how good or intelligent a doctor one is, fatigue is an enemy that can never be denied..

Ok, I'm running out of steam already.. This will have to do for now..