clintmyster

It's funny that when you're not a med student, you have never had a duty of care to help someone in distress but when you're a med student it starts to happen to you. Maybe not for everyone but it's happened twice to me in the space of two months.

The first time was at a cultural dance party. Someone had been feeling a bit queasy and then went pale. My dad straight away went on stage and called out for a doctor amongst everyone. I set back a bit waiting, but more so hoping for someone to come. At that point, I had barely finished my first year of med school. My first aid was okay but that's about it. It seemed there wasn't a doctor present however there were plenty of nurses. I won't lie, my heart rate jumped rapidly. All I could think to myself is that it's probably just to stay away and not crowd the person. Luckily the paramedics came quickly and sorted things out.

Then came the second time. Just on Sunday at church. First time at the church and someone randomly stops the priest during his homily and says "is there a doctor". Luckily there was or at least someone came from the other side and helped. I feel so helpless at the moment. I'd like to help but I'm so scared of getting things wrong right now. It makes me want to study harder but regardless it just shows how much I and all of us have to learn.

I'd like to think if it doesn't happen again and no one comes forward then I'll do something regardless if i'm still a medical student. After all, as a doctor, that's one of our many job descriptions - to save lives.