Jinan Medical Internship
April - June, 2008
As part of our doctoral degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, my classmates and I opt for an internship to complete our studies in the city of Jinan, China. Our 12 week internship will take place at the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine where we will visit various departments and learn of western and eastern treatments of disease. Our flight is an exhausting 12 hours but we are thrilled for the opportunity to immerse ourselves for the next three months in a city and culture that none of us had ever experienced before. As an added bonus, family and friends also joined us to travel China at the end of our studies.
Boarding our flight with professor Fuyi
who will help us settle in Jinan |
Welcome dinner with the universtiy
Although we are exhausted we rise to the occasion and participate in "gan bai" (cheers!) as a gesture of welcoming new friends! |
Our Apartment in Jinan
Thanks to the help of Fuyi, we track down a great place that we'll call home for the next 3 months!
After moving in we spend a few hours of team effort giving the entire apartment a thorough cleaning to make it ours.
Its located down a quiet street just off of Huan Shan road and approximately 15-20 minutes to the TCM hospital. We're on the 12th floor with a nice view of the city and mountains and all in all quite happy with our little Jinan gem!
Bao Tu Springs in Jinan
The Bao Tu Springs park is a very tranquil area consisting of pathways leading to various gardens and is located near the centre of Jinan. The springs are naturally occurring and are over 450 years old
Bao Tu Springs in Jinan
The Bao Tu Springs park is a very tranquil area consisting of pathways leading to various gardens and is located near the centre of Jinan. The springs are naturally occurring and are over 450 years old
Daming Lake in Jinan
Also located in the centre of Jinan is Daming Lake, a very tranquill area consisting of pathways to walk along the lake,
restaurants and an opera house
Hiking Jinan's Mountains
Just a short 5 minute walk and we can head into peaceful fresh paths through the trees
A nice break from the busy crowded streets and heavy air of the city
Daily Life in Jinan
Jinan became our home and earned a special place in our hearts. We learned so much both in knowledge and about life and we will never forget our time here nor the friendship we share among us!
Day Trip to Qu Fu - Confucius Temple
Confucius was known as a great philosopher, politician and educator of the 5th-6th centuries B.C.
We join a group tour bus heading to the town of Qu Fu where the temple, cemetery and his family mansion is located.
The grounds are extensive and very beautiful
Overnight Trip to Taishan Mountain
We head to the town of Taiyan where we will hike the mountatin called "Taishan" the following day.
We stay at a hotel called Jinshan Villa located near the entrance to the mountain.
Taishan Mountain is considered one of the most spiritual mountains in China where many locals take incense to light at the top of the mountain and along the way to ask for guidance and wishes.
Weekend Trip to Putuoshan
Taking advantage of the Chinese holiday we decided to do some travelling and headed to the island of Putuoshan just off the coast of Shanghai. The island is considered one of the most spiritual places in China where you will commonly find budhist monks carrying out their daily routines. After arriving at the Wusong Port we discover that on that Monday there is no 1pm fast boat to Putuoshan, only the slow boat that leaves at 8pm and arrives the next morning. Oh the adventures!
Jinan Teaching Hospital
This hospital integrates the use of both western and eastern medicine and is where
we spend the next 12 weeks in observation. We are provided with local students to act as our translators as many of the doctors here do not speak English.
Acupuncture Department
During our first 2 weeks observation in the acupuncture department, we follow mainly Dr. Shan and Dr. Ge. We see many cases of lumbago, facial paralysis, insomnia, headache, weight loss, and cervical spondylosis.
A typical acupuncture room where beds range from 3-12 per room
Peadiatrics Department
We observed three different doctors in this department (Dr. Ma, Dr Zhang, Dr. Cao Hong) who were all very helpful and took the time to share their knowledge with us. We saw many adorable kids and loved the interaction them!
Neurology Department
We spent time with Dr. Sun Ji Lin who involved us in her discussion regarding patients and very helpful in
providing added information during our time with her
Cardiology Department
Dr. Gao, our Cardiology Department Doctor provided cases on various types of chest discomfort, myocarditis,
hypertension, and tachycardia
Respiratory Department
Dr. Tao Kai has been truly fantastic to spend time with. He's an extremely busy and popular doctor but often takes the time to provide added information about the patients we are seeing.
He invites us to a honorary lunch for himself before he leaves for Hong Kong to start his new position. Here we are with some of his students and his wife who is also a Doctor
Oncology Department Dr. Zhu Hai Hong speaks excellent English and has been a great doctor to learn from and spend time with. Though he's a popular doctor he takes time to explain information about the patients conditions, their history and differentiation of syndromes |
Endocrinology Department Dr. Xu Yin Sheng attends a very busy department but he encourages us to ask questions and engages in discussions |
Gynecology Department Dr. Ye Qing is a leading expert in her field. She has been great at providing and sharing information with us on differentiation, lab reports and imaging results |
Gastrointenstinal Department Dr. Cao Zhu Qin had many students who observed with him and who appeared to be learning a lot of great knowledge. We saw many interesting cases of GI disorders and received many new herbal prescriptions for some common GI diseases |
Moxabustion Department
This was a very interesting afternoon observing a very unique type of TCM treatment for various spinal conditions.
Dermatology Department Dr. Du is a leading expert in his field and is very well known within Jinan and throughout China for his work, experience and research. We saw many interesting cases of common diseases and were given many herbal prescriptions that had been proven successful in treatment with patients |
Tui Na Massage Department Dr. Wang works both with adults and children but is very famous within China for his work with children and his success with treatment of children's diseases using tuina massage. |