Nervous System done!

Assalamualaikum:)

There's always so much to write about. Honestly. But other commitments and pressing matters have been cropping up and I end up leaving my blog untouched. I should have the resolution of at least uploading at least a paragraph of reminder or thought if not pages and pages- which is almost always the case after not blogging for so long:P

We've just completed Nervous System block. Had our finals for the past 3 days. A lot of people said that CNS was the heaviest and most difficult block. Yes, I agree it is. But at the same time, I would have to say that it is the most fun and understandable block- but to say that I will pass with flying colours is still not definite. Maybe I find it fun because I've (sadly) finally learnt (after 1.5 years) how to learn pre-clinical medic as how I would enjoy it. Learning anatomy with the atlas and with the anatomy models and really concentrating in Dr Khin's class (which is actually not terrifying as I perceived when I was in 1st year!); her classes are really so fun:D Learning physiology by referring to Vander's. Learning diseases through concept maps and pathophysiologies. Learning pharmaco through tables and cases. It's scary how you wish that you could have caught onto this earlier. But as always, lessons which Allah has decided for you to learn the hard way is priceless.


Anyway, we had OSCE on Wednesday, OSPE on Thursday and theory paper on Friday.

For those who are wondering, OSCE is Objective Structured Clinical Examination. What we do is that each student has two stations to enter.

1. First, we read the question at the door (for example: You are a medical officer. A 45-year-old male comes to your clinic complaining of sensory loss in his right leg. Test his light touch and pain sensation.)
2. Enter the room where there will be 1) the examiner 2) a simulated patient and 3) all the equipments you can possibly need for a CNS examination (eg cotton wool, tendon hammer, pin, hand sanitizer etc).
3. Perform the clinical examination that you need within 5 minutes. We learn various tests so during the exam, we need to be able to perform the correct test with the proper skills and exhibit understanding (that is we know the reason for that particular examination performed).
4. After that, you are free:)

In this exam, I left out TWO things to do. Was a bit upset and lost my appetite after that; but I guess I forgot it that time so that I will never forget it during my clinical years, as what my mum reminds me. Hikmah always :)

As for OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination), it is for identifying anatomical parts from models and pictures. There are 30 stations and we have to move on to the next table every 1.5 minutes. Each table will have a picture labelled or a model with a pin, and you would have to answer the question on your answer sheet. Might sound complicated if you can't picture it and despite the complicated planning that might have had to go through I think CNS's OSPE was immensely structured and coordinated inside the exam hall:)

Aaaand finally, today's final theory paper. I was really sleepy during the exam after insufficient rest for the past few days- this is really not something to be emulated. It's my own reminder that we don't have to cram everything in the last few days of exam if we just put in effort everyday to revise. I enjoyed the paper:) I know it sounds really weird, but I did. The scoring is, again, honestly un-definite:P My brain jolted awake when the invigilator announced "another 1 hour to go" (the paper was for 2 hours). But Alhamdulillah, survived til the end. Leaving the exam hall, I could see all my classmates grinning gloriously and triumphantly because of "the end of CNS block!".

We had Grand Reflection immediately after that. I think it's one of the most heart-rendering feedback session I've ever attended. Dr Kibria, coordinator of CNS, was so very humble in his comments for our block. He thanked all the lecturers and admitted his own shortcomings. In fact, he even said that all the good things from the block comes from the other lecturers and all the bad is only him to blame. I remember one of my friends turned teary when Dr Kibria apologized to the class because of a timetable mix-up. That was sweet.

Also during Grand Reflection, Prof Hamdan gave a mind-opening speech. His voice was quiet and serious; but like a father giving advice to his children. What I remember most was when he said, "Not everyone gets the chance to do medic. But YOU do. Take it. Take it and hold on to it." He is absolutely right.

After the session, CNS is officially over. Before the start of the exam that morning, I had promised my exhausted cells that I would have sleep right after everything. But because I had to study for finals, all non-academic matters were pushed to after the exam and I ended up piling all of 'em right after exam. Which left me infront of my laptop til 3pm where we had our first aid training.

So yes, that was my week- or rather 3 days of this week :) Alhamdulillah, look forward to our next block, Reproductive System! Dr Amal (coordinator for repro) said that this upcoming block will be most interesting especially to the girls because we will learn about pregnancy and childbirth. A lot of Allah's Signs there. What is science without religion eh? Blindess. (as said by Albert Einstein).

InsyaAllah, hoping to enter Repro block as well as all the other upcoming block with new energy, enthusiasm and purified intentions:)

Today Zahidah bought me dinner when she overheard that I lost my dinner. Reminder for me that: "What are friends for?" Like really, what ARE friends for....