Every year, my school marks this occasion by sending its seasoned textbook-memorizing, hospital-drama virgin students out to the bush into rural communities. Each of us spends a month working with docs in communities ranging from smaller cities to those with populations in the hundreds. Students either jump at this opportunity or cringe at the thought of being isolated away from their nearest Starbucks franchise.
Fortunately for myself, I am stoked to be working in a community of only 400. Docs here do everything from stabilizing their neighbour's bbq burns to running clinics in helicopters. I have no doubt that this will (A) negate all the bad habits I picked up in Vegas post-exams (thanks, boys) and (B) revitalize medicine for this young buck. It's been a year since I worked in rural India and another dose of romanticized medicine couldn't come at a better time.
The drive took 2 days, but I'm in the most northern part of my province just chilling with the grizzlies in bear country. The air is crisp. The sun set was midnight last night. The people smile. Aside from the exorbitantly marked prices of food here, I have absolutely no complaints. What other degree sends you out to explore your nation, soak up the culture, fly-fish/hike/hunt while learning about your trade as well?
Armed with my Canon 7D and bear spray, I say "bring it"!
