Prescriptions and Predicaments

If you are into Infectious Disease, you will get this joke.?

If you aren’t - you’ll pretend that you have gotten it!?

Here it goes:?

The 9th Chapter of The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine begins with the following words to answer the question “What is Life?”:?

“By convention, life is anything which is organic and converts nutrients into progeny. Failure to meet this definition means non-living, dead, dying or perhaps male.”?

Even so, life is a thing of dynamism, fragility, beauty, danger, and evanescence; gushing forth from a single source. But here, the certainties end.

Lest I am tempted to pull-a-Martin-Heidegger on you and outline a pHD-level narrative on the meaning of life, I want to point out that I am male. And my certainties have ended.?

I have completed my internship.?

That comes with good news and bad news. The good news is that I have added a new title: Medical Officer - MBChB / IT.?

The bad news??

I’m now part of the 35% youth unemployment statistics in Kenya. The uncertainty of this predicament and the tongue-in-cheek remark about my maleness prompt me to look for life - wherever it can be found.?

See, I studied at the prestigious University at the Equator, Maseno University - School of Medicine. After 7 daunting years, thanks to strikes and the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic, I started my internship.?

My expectations were high. I aimed to grasp the intricacies of prescribing medications, making clinical decisions, conducting bedside ultrasounds, interpreting radiological images, managing patients in critical care units, delivering babies, and performing surgeries – the array of skills I sought to acquire was extensive.

My academic pursuit at Maseno University equipped me with a wealth of medical knowledge, and I was eager to translate theory into practical skills during my internship.?

Little did I anticipate the real-world challenges and hands-on experiences that awaited me as a medical officer intern. The transition from student to practitioner was a transformative period, rife with both trials and triumphs.

The landscape of healthcare unfolded before me in unexpected ways. The complexities of medical decision-making, the nuances of patient care, and the demands of a dynamic healthcare system became evident.?

Despite the initial overwhelm, each day presented an opportunity for growth and learning. The theoretical foundations laid at Maseno University now served as a solid base upon which I built my practical understanding of medicine.

While my initial expectations were high, the reality of the medical officer internship surpassed them in many aspects.?

It wasn't just about mastering clinical skills; it was about adapting to the unpredictable nature of healthcare, collaborating with diverse medical professionals, and navigating the unforeseen challenges that arose in patient care.?

The internship experience has not only refined my technical abilities but also cultivated resilience, adaptability, and effective communication – crucial qualities for any medical professional. It was a period that demanded not only medical expertise but also compassion, empathy, and commitment, first to oneself and then to public health.

Looking back at my time at Maseno University and the subsequent internship, I realize the immense growth that has taken place. From the theoretical foundations laid in lecture halls to the dynamic and unpredictable environment of a hospital, the journey has been a tapestry of experiences that has shaped me both professionally and personally.

As I confront the reality of entering a demanding job market, the question of securing a position looms, echoing the concerns shared by many emerging medical professionals in Kenya.

Yet, in the face of this uncertainty, I am resolute in my commitment to persevere and contribute meaningfully to the medical field. I am fueled by the belief that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth.

So I chant away silent incantation, chasing life, perhaps to appease the gods for a possibility of a better tomorrow, as I replay the words of the Legendary Canadian Professor of Clinical Psychology, Dr J. B. Peterson,?

“Orient yourself properly. Then–and only then–concentrate on the day. Set your sights at the Good, the Beautiful, and the True, and then focus pointedly and carefully on the concerns of each moment. Aim continually at Heaven while you work diligently on Earth. Attend fully to the future, in that manner, while attending fully to the present. Then you have the best chance of perfecting both.?