VIETNAM ELECTIVE
National Paediatric Hospital, Hanoi Vietnam Linny K. Phuong, Med VI, The University of Melbourne
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ith Vietnamese born parents, my views on the Vietnamese healthcare system have always been painted by their stories, both good and bad - so when it came to choosing a destination for my elective, it seemed only natural for me to go to Vietnam and experience it all for myself.
many friends; took an English class at least three times a week where I taught “medical English” and gave a presentation to over 200 doctors at NHP about my observations of Paediatrics in Vietnam in comparison with Australia. My experience was interesting, fun and eye-opening all at the same time. I would recommend a similar elective to any other
So in December 2008… upon starting on my elective in Vietnam, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But after my elective experience - I am convinced that any medical student would have been happy with the placement I was offered.
ED team of doctors and nurses medical student, no matter what your future career aspirations within medicine.
Emergency department
My placement was at the National Paediatric Hospital (NHP) in Hanoi - the national referral centre for paediatric cases. This hospital received patients from Central Vietnam and above which included the poorer rural areas of the highlands. I was the only Australian student at the hospital, but there were many other foreign visiting students, from Sweden and the USA.
Being in a developing country meant many things. I experienced many paediatric illnesses which were rare in a developed setting. Sadly, it also meant I witnessed the natural history of many treatable illnesses. And, as un-politically minded an individual I am, I even started to understand the interplay between a country’s national infrastructure and the state of their healthcare system.
On my placement, I spent most of my time in the Emergency, General Surgery and Intensive Care Departments. I made Vector, Issue 9,, April 2009
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