MEMOIRS OF AN ONCALL DOCTOR - TGIS

People told me it was going to be very quiet in the ward during Hari Raya, as everybody “balik kampung” during the festive season. But it was not to be. I broke the tradition by filling up the ward with multiple admissions from the A&E (accident & emergency). I used to just get some “sprinkle” of my housemate’s “Jonah-ness”, but I think this time around, it’s the Jonah Hurricane.

Day: 6 out of 7

8.00am
Drive to work
Ward round at Male & Female Wards

10.30am
Finish ward round
Paper work
Phone rings

A&E MO: Eh, you’re oncall again?

Me: Yup

A&E MO: I thought you were oncall yesterday…& the day before yesterday…&…

Me: We’re oncall the whole week, Monday to Sunday

A&E MO: Wah…tak pengsan ke?

Me: (Memang nak pengsan lah ni)

A&E MO: By the way, I have another case to refer...


11.00am
Clerk in the new case
Can’t view blood results & x-ray images on computer – system down
Problems arise in the ward
Attend to problems

12.30pm
Feeling extremely hungry
Food court & canteen both close (for Hari Raya)
Drive out to nearest restaurant (which happens to be KFC)

12.45pm
Queue up at KFC
Many customers
Only 1 counter open

1.00pm
My turn to order
Phone rings
Staff nurse needs me in the ward
Take away festive combo (damn hungry)

1.20pm
Settle problem in the ward
Go to car (to drive home & eat)
Phone rings
Staff nurse needs me again in the ward

1.40pm
Drive home
Have lunch
Lie down for a while, exhausted

3.00pm
Phone rings

Help is needed in the ward

6.30pm
Settle problem in the ward
Go home for dinner

8.00pm
Phone rings
Staff nurse needs advice

10.00pm
Go to bed

10.30pm
Phone rings
Staff nurse needs advice

1.20am
Phone rings
A&E MO needs advice

3.00am
Phone rings
Staff nurse needs advice

5.00am
Phone rings
Staff nurse needs advice

6.30am
Alarm clock rings
Thank God it’s Sunday (ie. last day oncall)
Hand over pager 8am Monday