My physiology presentation

We started our postgraduate physiology class on the 8/9/08. I was one of those supposedly to give a presentation in the first session. But mine was inadvertently postponed because my stupid Kingston thumbdrive made a surprise corruption. So, that meant I had to do it last Monday, and with significant additional information to satisfy Prof Ruby’s requirements. Thanked god the presentation on the 15/9/08 went on without much glitch, although I still had some comments, and honestly I think that the presentation was too much. But, at least I managed to remember and understand another topic, which is surely gonna be forgotten by me if I just read it all only.

 

All the others are also panicking to complete their presentations. I don’t know why everybody is anxious to complete it. Maybe because the level of expectation Prof Ruby put on us, and maybe also we just want to make ourself understand, and helps others understand the topics too. I too was anxious before the presentation (I’m always anxious regarding every presentations, especially if I don’t really know what I’m talking about) but things took a better shape after reading the relevant chapter in Ganong for few times. Yeah, the holy book for physiology here is Ganong (Review of Medical Physiology). I know Julie has it, but I couldn’t find it at home, so I need to buy a new one. Truthfully, I never ever properly read any physiology text book during my undergrad time. I just managed things thru the lecture notes which the class photostated- and I passed with that, but I never really understand what was being taught. That is what I regret now.

1st National Mood and Sleep Disorders Conference

I just finished attending the above conference. I actually missed the last 2 symposiums due to family commitment.

Generally I felt that it was a good conference. The topics were norrowed down to mood and sleeping problems, and the speakers and delegates were able to interact better due to smaller number of participations. Interactions were also not limited during the talks, but opened during the long 30 minutes tea breaks.

I would like to differ from those who said that the topics were in some way or another just a repeat of the same contents. Yes, generally they were all quite the same, but the precious things were that you could then compare the opinions of the speakers regarding the topic. The good things (in relation to myself) were that repetitions reinforced my understanding of the topics being discussed/presented.

Bipolar mood disorder (BMD), in a nut shell, is a monstrous and destructive disorder. The opinion saying that BMD is a good disorder should be shelved down because poor or partially controlled condition can impair the quality of life to a significant level. As it’s a bipolar disorder, the likelyhood of switching from depressive state to manic state and vice versa is another aspect that need more attention. Thus, early recognition of relapse is an utmost important.

Sleep disorders were not so much being talked about. There were not many who went in depth explaining each of the sleep disorders known. The beneficial topics being discussed were about the impairments that sleep disorders cause to the life. I do like the explanations about the sleep hygiene, which can be practically used in the day-to-day clinical practice. There was also usefull explanation about the sleep study and simle explanation about changes of the brain wave during abnormal sleep study.

Kudos to my lecturers and the Department of Psychological Medicine, UMMC who organized the confernce.

CBT workshop

Events: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Worshop

Place: Cititel Hotel, Penang Road, Penang

Date & Time: 25th January 2007, 9 am – 12 pm

   The workshop was done at the start of this year’s Conference of Behavioral Medicine. I went there together with Khairul, Imran and Gaya. Ok, bad news first: Due to my bad time managements and highly anxious personality, I arrived just on time and while side-parking my car hit the oddly-protruding pillars of the side wall. The results: shattered and broken left tail-lamp, scratched left-sided bumper and skirting, and jutted, misplaced bumper (although I swear that I was so slow in making the movements)…. but if you look at the results of the ”kiss”… you’ll probably be too sure that I was at high speed.

Ok… now back to the original story:

The CBT workshop was chaired by Dr Lai from Penang Hospital. He was such a good conductor and managed to deliver the key points during the 3-hour session. In summary, this was what I got:

Counselling skills (listen, listen, paraphrasing, summarising)

 

+

 

Socratic questioning

 

+

 

Behaviour experiments

 

IS

 

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY

 

  I am bloody sure that I can apply it during my working time.

  Ni dah kira perasan terrer la ni! 

 

Dah cukup…. la ni nak pi settle pasal hal kereta plak. Cilaka betul, ni dah kira burn duit oncall bulan lepas ni! tapi takpa la, anggap jer la ni semua ketetapan Ilahi dan sedekah. Semuanya ada hikmahnya, kan?

 

  

Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) Exam

The exam was on 7th January. It was a 40 stem questions followed by 5 true/false answers. I think it was that difficult, maybe slightly difficult then the undergrads exam (hehehe….) but a lot more practical-oriented questions. Did my best but did not know my score.

Then followed by the dreaded interview on 8th January. We were divided inyo 2 sessions; morning/afternoon. Luckily I got the morning session and was the 7th person.

Attentions:

- what is my experience in psychiatry

- what can I contribute to psychiatry

- why I choose UKM/USM

- why not UM

- why choose open system

- where do I preferred to be posted

- what if I don’t get what I applied. Am I willing to accept other offers

   I think I got a little bit more firing. But I did made them laugh. But was it good or bad sign?

  So I must wait 2 or 3 months to get the result…… hopefully I got what I asked

Master of Medicine (Psychiatry)

Can you believe this: there is an entrance exam to this year’s master of psychiatry programme! This follows the usual entrance interview. My exam is on the 7th January followed by interview the next day. Hell, I don’t know what the MCQs will be about.

Can someone help me about the exam?