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I tagged for 12 days in total during my third posting, Paediatrics.
I was determined to take my time during tagging and to learn as much as I can until well, a fellow medical officer who was then in charged of our ward allocations and of approving our leaves told me during my Day 3 of Tagging that he would grant my leaves once I have off-tagged and allow me to return home for a visit in Johor Bahru.
I did not request for it. In fact, returning home was the last thing on my mind. However, suddenly there was a reason to off-tag which is good in a way as I forced myself to study and tried to expose myself to various cases but also bad as my main focus shifted to off-tag rather than to actually take my time and learn.
The standard tagging time in all postings except O&G is from 7am till 10pm with 1 off day in a week.
In the Paediatrics posting, I was posted to the General Paediatric Ward 2B. Thus, I came at 6am and begin my morning reviews and carry on with the usual ward work till about 6pm. At 6pm, I would take a break and most of the time, it would be my first meal of the day.
At around 7pm, I would then head over to my allocated night wards. Tagging in this posting is in the General Paediatric Ward 2B, Paediatrics Isolation Ward 3A or Nursery. Usually after 6pm, we will shift wards. Sometimes, we do remain in our initial allocated ward. However, most of the time, we are allocated to wards which requires more manpower.
There are several things that are required of us to off-tag. We each had to print out a “tagging logbook”. Inside, we are required to clerk new cases in the General Ward, new cases in the Nursery ward, transfer in or clerk any neonatal jaundice babies, interpret blood gases, observe basic neonatal resuscitation, perform any aseptic procedures and perform baby check.
All of these were the fundamentals which we have to master prior to “off-tag” and for each section, there were about 10 slots to fill.
The degree of completion of our logbooks solely depends on the mentor that we are being assigned to. There are some mentors who required the logbook to be fully filled and then there are some mentors who did not mind but passed us upon completion of our “off-tag assessment”.
We were required to tag for at least 10 days. It was good as it provided the night shift team with extra hands and alleviated some of their active tasks but also bad as it was tiring. At the end of the day, we had to get the stamp and signature of the medical officers on call as a proof of our attendance for that day.
I was fortunate enough to be assigned to a kind medical officer. She was stationed in the Paediatric Oncology Ward at that time. I went into the ward and introduced myself.
She told me that I would be assessed in would be found in the compiled notes passed on by my seniors. Inside were the fundamentals that we had to know as a House Officer. Not adequate for us of course but at least adequate enough for us to “function” in the General Wards or in the Nursery ward.
My “off-tag assessment” was put on hold for some time as my mentor was not well at that time.
Albeit my assessor was kind. She was rather strict and I did not pass during the first round as I was required to answer every bit of scenario given correctly. Hence, I went through a second assessment two days later of which thankfully I succeeded.
My mentor did not require me to complete my logbook which was a good thing as there were a lot of “holes” or “empty slots” in my logbook.
I informed the house officer in charge of us that I have off-tagged and was able to proceed with the night shift. It is a requirement to off-tag prior to starting the night shift.
Finally, I was able to return home for a short break and had the best weekend after the longest time.
Surviving the tagging period during this third posting of mine seems easier as compared to my tagging period in the previous two postings. Perhaps it is because I have grown accustomed as I progressed throughout my housemanship journey. However, I’d like to think that mainly it was because the environment was friendly and nurturing.
Hence, despite being physically tired as the joblists are more and we returned home after 10pm, I am not as mentally drained as I previously was and I felt determined to rise and proceed to work again the following morning.
Related Posts:
- Tagging Day 1 In My Third Posting – Day 498 | Housemanship Diaries
- The Benefits Of Working During The Weekend / Weekdays As A House Officer | Housemanship Diaries
- My Experience In O&G During The Anaemic House Officer Period
- My Support System During My Second Posting in The Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department – Housemanship Diaries
- Reflection of The Obstetric and Gynaecology Posting
- My First Ever Explanation Letter
- My Last Day In The Department of Obstetrics And Gynaecology
- The Joy Of Working The Night Shift As A House Officer
- My Second Posting During Housemanship – Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- I Survived 26 Days Of Tagging In O&G – Housemanship Diaries
The Theoretical Doctor 