Psychiatry Day 2

The morning started in the library of the Psychiatry Clinic with a seminar. It was a mixed group of Hungarian and English program students. We discussed the case from yesterday, and the Professor went into detail about the theory of schizophrenia. We talked about the possible differential diagnoses given the patient's history and clinical symptomatology.

The Professor asked that we find a new patient to interview for tomorrow's discussion and dismissed us. The Hungarian students led the way, and we went to the ward. We found somewhere safe to leave our personal belongings, and then we went to the nurse's room to look at the patient files. There were two patients we could see. The choice was between a patient with bipolar disorder or a patient with a past suicide attempt. We all agreed on the latter because the suicide attempt was four years ago, and there weren't many details on file about why the patient was here now. So we were curious to know more.

We found the patient's room, and the Hungarian students entered first. They introduced us all and asked if it would be okay for us to talk. The patient looked a little nervous and hesitant but put on their shoes and came out to the hallway with us. We found a table to sit at, and the Hungarian students led the conversation since the patient did not speak English. 

When the history taking was complete, the patient returned to their room, and we sat to discuss what had been said. By noon we had finished, and I had the whole afternoon to work on some other things.

Standing outside the Psychiatry Clinic in Pécs.

Rotations in Hungary are clearly very different from Belgium. Here, I am only required to do a maximum of 6 hours per day, whereas, in Belgium, you are given the whole experience of what life will be like as a medical professional, which means you typically have 9 hour days. 

Let's see what tomorrow holds.