Kanako Yamada (2nd year student)

For 8 days from November 9 to 16, 2019, I participated in a field trip to Shantou University School of Medicine.

On the first day, we gathered at Kansai International Airport early in the morning and drove about 3 hours to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. After a layover, we arrived in Shantou after about an hour. At the airport, Dr. Cheng Jidong and his wife, Dr. Yang, greeted us and took a bus to the hotel. Along the way, I was shocked by the sight of motorcycles driving without helmets, cars and pedestrians ignoring traffic lights, and horns that never stop ringing, all of which I don't often see in Japan. When we arrived at the hotel, there was a welcome dinner, and the teachers who will take care of us in the future welcomed us. Some of the teachers had stayed in Japan for a long time, and their Japanese was so good that I didn't feel any communication barriers that I was worried about. Prof. Law explained about Shantou University and the Li Jiacheng Foundation, and I learned that Shantou University was built by the Li Jiacheng Foundation.

On the second day, the participants observed volunteer activities in impoverished areas. I was surprised to see that all health checkups and medical examinations were done free of charge. In Japan, most people can go to the hospital because of the insurance system, but in China, there are people who cannot get insurance, so there are many people who cannot go to the hospital even if they want to. After observing the volunteer activities, we went on foot to observe the visiting medical care. In the home visits, I didn't just go to see the doctor, but I also brought rice and oil. When I actually saw patients suffering from illness in a dark and narrow room, I felt the difference from medical care in Japan, and at the same time, I was keenly aware of how blessed my life is.

On the third day, I accompanied him to a hospice visit. Doctors and nurses listened to the stories of terminally ill cancer patients and their families, and provided physical and mental support in various ways. I couldn't understand what they were talking about, but they seemed to be giving explanations that patients and their families could fully understand. I have had several opportunities to think about end-of-life care, but this was the first time I had actually witnessed it, and I learned a lot. After the visit, we listened to a talk by Dr. Chow of Shantou University. Palliative medicine is not only suitable for terminally ill patients but also for early-stage patients, and all treatments are free of charge, and the target of evaluation is the patient himself, his environment, and the person who cares for the patient. If the patient does not take the medicine as properly prescribed, abnormalities will occur, so a booklet with precautions may be given to the caretaker.

On the fourth day, we visited plastic surgery specializing in cleft lip and palate, NICU, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and Chinese medicine. It is said that there are about 20,000 patients with cleft lip and palate every year, and some of them are under the age of 1 year, and because it appears visually, some children are hidden in the house or abandoned, so I heard that early treatment is important. In addition, cleft lip surgery is relatively easy in about 1 hour, while cleft palate takes 2~3 hours. I learned that the timing of surgery is important because the pronunciation of the child patient changes depending on the age and the weight of the patient and anesthesia has a negative effect on the heart. In the NICU, which is an intensive care unit for newborns, hygiene management is very strict, and we visited with special masks, hats, clothes, and shoes covered. There were a lot of premature babies in the NICU, and I saw babies who were very small and had ventilators and a lot of tubes, and babies who were exposed to light to prevent jaundice. I was impressed by the sight of babies living hard even if their bodies are small, and the medical care that can be used. When we visited the psychiatric ward, we were a little scared because some patients said something to us while listening to the doctor's explanation, but when I asked the doctor later, he praised us. I didn't have the opportunity to interact with psychiatric patients, so it was a valuable experience. During the tour of Chinese medicine making, various substances were mixed and there was a slightly peculiar smell, but there were some Chinese herbal preparations that I learned in Department of Pharmacology and looked familiar, and it was a lot of fun. China is a mecca for oriental medicine, and I was very interested in Chinese medicine, so I was really glad that I was able to visit it.

On the fifth day, we visited Shantou University. The School of Medicine building was very distinctive with a hollow center. I was also surprised by the size of the library. It is said to be the most beautiful library in Asia. And at the Museum of Human Life Sciences, where organs, muscles, bones, nerves, etc. are all on display, I felt the difference in ethics between Japan and Japan. I thought that the machine that allows you to see the entire body in 3D while operating it on a large screen, and the simulation center of all departments, which are so complete that you feel as if you are in the Sylvanian family, are a good environment for studying, and I can learn more.

On the sixth day, we visited an ophthalmology clinic in a rural area along an unpaved road. It seems that the main surgery is cataracts. It is said that there are about 10,000 cataract patients every year, and only 3,000 of them undergo surgery. I heard that the remaining 7,000 people are poor and do not pay attention to their health. In addition, compared to Shantou, there are many opportunities to perform surgeries, and although the surgical skills are high, there was a serious problem that there were not enough doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals for the number of patients. After that, we went sightseeing in Chaozhou. We were able to see traditional temples and shrines.

On the seventh day, we went sightseeing in the city. It was fun to actually see a cleverly made fake brand and talk with everyone while imagining that it was this brand in Japan. In the evening, we had a dumpling party with the teachers who took care of us throughout the training. While the teachers taught us how to make it, we made it from the skin of the dumplings with our own hands. It was the first time in my life that I made dumplings by hand, so it was a lot of fun. Since it was a dumpling that we made ourselves, it tasted even better than usual.

During the eight-day training, I was able to experience and understand different cultures, with a focus on medicine, and interact with Chinese students. The authentic Chinese food was very delicious. Everything I learned in this training was new to me, and it was a very valuable experience. I will continue to do my best so that I can make use of this experience in the future and become a great doctor. To be honest, I wasn't sure whether to apply for this training because it was my first time abroad and I wasn't very good at English, but I had the courage to apply, and I am really glad that my first overseas trip was in Shantou, China. In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Torii, Prof. Cheng, Prof. Yang, and all those who have been involved in my study abroad. Thank you very much.