School

Many times, we forget why we are in China - right, to learn!! Every morning we meet by the large Zhang Zhong Jing statue as a reminder of just that. 

Every clinic shift is a bit different, but in general, it is chaos per usual (or maybe our Seattle BCNH shifts are lacking chaos). For the herb shifts, there is one doctor, several students observing, including us and our translator, and the primary patient, and patient(s) "on deck." Doctor is talking, our translator is translating with no means of trying to whisper, patients are coming in and out, interrupting the doctor with their personal questions, phones are ringing, phones are being answered (including the doctor's with her Rihanna ringtone). It is a overwhelming scene, but a scene to witness. 

As for the acupuncture shifts, that is another ballpark. I've had two so far and the first was, again chaos in my mind. There was one doctor, several interns and observers for three rooms. Yes, at BCNH this sounds familiar, but each room had about 3 beds and 4 chairs all occupied with patients. Everyone was talking, faces were wincing, needles were flying (sometimes literally), soap and water was underutilized, "clean field" was nonexistent. 

Trips to the doc seem like all day excursions. Our shifts are about 3hrs long, and many of the patients were there for that whole duration - and that is just for acupuncture.

Just keep learning, just keep learning....