Handwashing talks are the same the world over. Last time I wrote about handwashing, I got my wrists slapped by my colleagues in infection control. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not that I underestimate its importance, it\u2019s just when you travel 12,000 miles to a new clinical service, with a different culture, language and way of working, having an identikit induction to home is perhaps not the best idea.<\/p>\n
That said, I was blessed with the warmest possible welcome from clinic staff. Not only did they spoil me with delicious food, I was wowed by truly knowledgeable specialists who answered all my questions with patience and passion. They didn\u2019t flinch when I mispronounced almost every Maori term, but gave me an interactive pronounciation guide, saying “you might like to check this out.” Kiwi understatement.<\/p>\n
Getting started with clinical work was exasperating. Despite getting what I thought was my registration, and passing an interview with a New Zealand medical council representative on arrival, I then had to obtain a “Certificate of good standing” from the GMC. This turned into another paperchase, as I asked the GMC to fax it, to save time, but the NZMC wanted an original, or an emailed copy.<\/p>\n
Patience paid off, patients followed. I\u2019m looking forward to sharing differences and ways of working. Morale seems higher here, but that may just be my own. I also had the unfortunate experience of reducing a senior colleague to tears when I challenged her definition of audit. I felt like the rude girl from the ivory tower and was not proud of that.<\/p>\n
Writing this, I wish I had some sanity saving advice for those of you in limbo following the MTAS process.<\/p>\n
Peter Cross and I are working hard on that. Career Focus can\u2019t take all the legwork out of the next stage, but we will be with you every step of the marathon. Keep a close eye on the print and online magazine.<\/p>\n
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Handwashing talks are the same the world over. Last time I wrote about handwashing, I got my wrists slapped by my colleagues in infection control. […]<\/p>\n