On a Wing and a Prayer...

MD 2nd year: The foul, despicable period of limbo between 1st year, where everything is bright and shiny, and 3rd year, which is basically epic win.

Claire Vella

MD 3rd year: That state of euphoric bliss that leaves you wondering why medicine isn't for the faint hearted... As you forget that there was such a thing as second year that preceeded it and forth year and fifth year that follows it.

MC

When compared to second year, third year was indeed an oasis in the midst of the previous dessert barren of any fun! (Well, at least in my case). And, somehow, even third year came to an end on the 16th of June with pathology II. Now, I simply await results with much anticipation as I think about me getting into 4th and 5th year – two scholastic years where medical school feels a little bit more like a film set for a potential movie entitled The Ossuary. (OK, so perhaps I’m exaggerating a bit). Nevertheless, it’s a doomsday I somehow want to welcome with open arms in a couple of months time. Anything is better than re-sitting or, even worse, repeating third year! You know, as they say… It’s nothing insurmountable; just very gruesome.

In the meantime, I'll just try to enjoy summer and feel happy for Italy for making it to the Euro 2008 quarterlies. They literally hung on with a wing and a prayer. But it was a perseverance that was very fun to watch on the 17th.

At least, it was a game that kept me away from The Times for a moment, whilst a good percentage of its faithful readers were disputing how I am potentially a major financial drain on the government with little resourcefulness worth investing in because it ends up going to the UK. Yes! People are at it again... Discussing how the government should shape my future as though I (and other health care workers) are state property! And just in case you’re thinking that these are my denatured neurons speaking just click on the following… UPDATED: Exodus of doctors worse than government saying – MAM. It was conveniently written on the 17th of June. I would have loved to comment but The Times tend to take a while to upload a comment. Eventually, I might be tempted to give some of these chicken heads a piece of my mind. Summer leaves me with very little else to do. Meanwhile, I'll just use this blog as a draft. Those who are not interested, the post ends here. Enjoy your holidays. For those who wish to carry on, take a deep breath before you continue reading:

1. As much as I would like to put all University courses and jobs/careers on the same level of difficultness, commitment and responsibility, these three years at University have proven otherwise throughout. Medical School is not a walk in the park, even for the most intelligent of students. It’s a course that really tests your nerve and stamina. And no matter how much you study, a grade above average is not even close to being guaranteed. I’m not saying that things are plain sailing for all the other students at University. But, starking differences are clearly present no matter what other people like to think!
2. However, we students still keep struggling through, at times on a wing and a prayer, with the hopes of becoming good doctors that can provide an excellent service to anyone who require it.
3. The life of a doctor is uniquely wrapped with a lot of responsibility, stress and constant pressure even when working within the 48 hour EU directive, let alone when we go overboard by double the amount of hours. One careless mistake, that can easily result when deprived of sleep, cannot be so easily erased with a putty rubber or a “Delete” button on a keyboard. Sure, medics who become doctors for all the right reasons will derive a lot of satisfaction from their work. But it is a satisfaction that comes at a very dear price that very few are willing to pay, and for good reason.
4. The country should really appreciate that, as much as it’s expensive to educate a citizen to become a doctor, health care services are even more expensive than that! One bypass operation carried out in a private hospital costs just as much as educating one medical student for an entire year. Mater Dei costs millions of Euros a week to be run the way it is currently run. And yet, the NHS is, very surprisingly, still a “free commodity” that very few Maltese people appreciate. Well, just for your info… The only reason why this is still possible is because 'low grade' doctors get paid peanuts. (Or should I say cashews in the light of the now not-so-new MAM-Gov agreement?)
5. Also... The stipend I get every month is, by no means, not enough for me to maintain an “expensive life style” and running around doing my own business in a flashy car. Go tell Jonathan Camilleri that my major mode of transport is even more primitive than that of the cavemen! I get from one place to another on foot usually, and the stipend I get is hardly enough to get me a new pair of decent slippers and a couple of bus fares from time to time! And if people think that we are not good value for taxpayer’s money, what about the Science B.Sc and the Computer students who get a lot more stipend and a lot more money on their Smart Card than we do? And tell me what these people will contribute to the country 'for free' after they graduate? Are the services provided at Smart City going to be dished out free of charge like Mater Dei Hospital?
6. Another thing to all taxpayers! My mum and dad both work and both pay taxes as though they are still single with no children of their own! Most probably, if my parents paid a lot less tax, they might be able to afford sustaining me through my University years without the governments helping hand.
7. Anyways, such comments are typical of a Maltese nation were all they're interested in is "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme".

I think that’s enough ranting on my behalf. Feel free to comment. Kudos to Anne Marie for the forward! In case you're reading this... thanks loads Anne! :)