The fight, flight and fright responses were all there on the day of my clinical examination. In my beloved varsity-The National University of Malaysia (UKM), professional examination for medical undergraduates was 2 weeks long. First week was meant for theory part and second week was meant for clinical component-long and short case. After 3 weeks long of tiresome study week period, I had to face the real anticipated challenge whereby I was tested on my proficiency and competency. Frankly speaking, I think Allah had answered all my do'a. Therefore, I realized that we as a Muslim no matter how good or bad our faith is, never underestimate the power of do'a. I passed my fate and luck to the Almighty. I'm a mathematical and chemical type of person. I love calculation as it only requires understanding of each formula and calculation ensures me to get the answer in a very systematic and organized way. I do not need to memorize the factual which was my weakness. In medicine, you need to understand the subject concerned. However, I found that memorizing still need to be instituted as part of learning process even if I do understand about the subject. Reading is my real challenge as it really takes time for me to study every inch of medical branches ranging from internal medicine, surgery, obstetric and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedic, psychiatry, family medicine, ophthalmology, ENT, anaesthesiology, emergency medicine, and forensic medicine. All of them must be covered within 3 weeks. It is impossible for person like me who have obsessive slowness to revise them all within 3 weeks. It is impossible, impossible, impossible and impossible. I focused more on major postings, common diseases and core of it. I prayed to Allah to let me pass this professional exam as I had put my effort and struggled for past 3 weeks. The rest of the diseases which I have not covered during study weeks will be covered after my examination season has over. Alhamdulillah, I made as most of the diseases that I have covered during study came out in examination both theory and clinical. I can breath a sigh of relief as theory component was comparatively easy than previous years. What about clinical part?
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| I was going crazy |
I can vividly remember my clinical exam day. I had started my day with intense palpitation and sweating up to extent of thinking to request for beta blocker in the ward while I was heading to Level 10. My mother was also affected by this clinical examination as she called me at 4.30 a.m to wake me up (I was still studying) and she told me that she had loss of appetite and insomnia. Her voice sounds like she almost to cry for me. I was the last one to arrive at Level 10 of UKMMC Clinical Block. It was not because my late wake up, I was just too scare to endured the reality. I always pray to Allah to give me the case that I really know of in detail and hoping to get paediatrics or surgical cases. Most of the students were hoping not to get paediatrics case but I am bit different due to some reasons. However, I did not get paediatric or surgical cases for my long case. Even so my luck was still good as I got obstetrics case of a 32-year-old G2P1 at 24 weeks plus 3 days period of amenorrhea with 1 previous scar, chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus on diet control, obese and history of congenital anomaly. When I was inside the room clerking the patient, all physical manifestations of panic attack were there simultaneously. The health attendant in-charge whom I really appreciate her genuine help tried to calm me down. My patient was a good historian and she really really really wanted me to pass the examination. She told her history in a very microscopic way. Both my patient and health attendant were very helpful. I think the rest of long case was okay except during physical examination when I was brought to measure the blood pressure in front of my long case examiner. It was an eventful moment. It affects me during the discussion session. Whatever it is, let it be as I had passed my professional examination. My name was announced by the dean on Friday, 26/4/2015. Alhamdulillah wa syukurillah. Just to let you know, Allah always plan the best for me. Even I had started my day during clinical examination with full of palpitation, He ends me very well. I got paediatrics beta thalassemia case for my last short case station. The examiner was a very kind professor who helped me to calm down. Professor Syed gave a good reassurance to me and motivated me that I was about in the finishing to become a doctor. He just wanted me to calm down and be confident. He was really good and humble. His word for me was like a hug from a father whom I have never had. Thank God, I made it and I had nothing to worry when I was in the very last station.
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| My picture was snapped by Kak Intan during theory paper of surgical stream. |
