on this new hospital and elective

I have the wonderful opportunity to do an elective rotation at the Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital, Department of Adolescent Medicine. This institution in itself is remarkable: it's got an aquarium, meerkats on display (in conjunction with the zoo), a cinema, numerous cafes, a gelato stand all within a brand-spanking new building. It really feels like a shopping centre, more than a hospital. If ever I fall ill and require hospitalization, I wouldn't mind being admitted to this hospital (however, my age prohibits me from doing so!)

Today was my first day of this elective, and so far so good! I mean: what's not to love about coming in to a 'mall'-type environment, when it's meant to be all serious given that it's a hospital? This definitely makes a world of a difference for those young patients who not only have to stay in an unfamiliar environment, but also to do so in such a BIG institution. I can totally understand the concepts that the hospital's designers had in mind whilst planning the constructive details of this hospital.

I've also met the doctors and allied health professions of the Department of Adolescent Medicine who are all really nice and easy-going! These people are just so welcoming and laid-back, which is the type of attitude that's appropriate when dealing with young patients (and especially with adolescents). I initially worried that I'd feel intimidated by the presence of the doctors, some of whom are leaders in this field; but their laid-back attitude really put me to ease.

Last but not least, I've met some of the patients under the service of the Department of Adolescent Medicine, most of whom have eating disorders. Coming in to this elective, I was a bit apprehensive about interacting with such patients (since I've only gotten over my eating disorder last year), as I was worried that such encounters would hit some notes deep within. But, after coming face to face with these patients, each equipped with tubes passing from their nose and into their stomachs, through which food is fed, a sense of empathy took over me that made me want to help them even more. Moreover, in the grand scale of the field of Paediatrics, adolescents (and particularly those with eating disorders) are not the most favourite group of patients that health practitioners want to treat. Many feel that these patients are too difficult to deal with, and often avoid this patient population altogether. Such is a sad reality, given that adolescence can be the most trying period in one's lifetime.

I look forward to the next four weeks, and I pray that I have the courage to face these patients without breaking down in the process.