Rural Allowance:
None. Heidedal CHC is seen as a P2 facility by DOH.
Doctors Quarters:
- Available via Pelonomi Hospital
- Although allied-CommServes and Interns of Pelonomi get preference
Academics:
- At the CHC = minimal. Maybe quarterly M&Ms if it needs to happen.
- You join National District Hospital’s M&Ms and Academic Meetings (CPD accredited) - happens monthly
- Post-intake FamMed Consultant ward rounds at NDH, but being placed at Heidedal you mostly miss them due to rushing to the clinics for daily duties.
Supervision:
- Family Medicine consultants are available at NDH. No comment further.
- Mostly alone and the senior, working with Interns and Medical Students often. But the support is available - between the juniors.
- FamMed ragistrars or MOs are mostly nice and willing to assist where they can. Make friends.
Clinical Exposure
- Used PALS and ATLS skills every single day, so the exposure is dramatic/evident.
- The exposure/learning curve on how to fight for a patient’s care was a daily thing.
- Good exposure to Trauma, Paeds, SA, HIV, TB, ESRD, Resuscitations. Surgery opportunity only for Maternity cases.
Departments worked in:
- Family Medicine clinics - you work in peripheral clinics, weekly doctor visits
- Maternity at NDH, work in the ward, clinic, theatre
- Paeds at NDH, small ward with Paeds cases that do not require Specialists.
- Casualties at NDH and Heidedal CHC. Busy areas! Exposure to everything!
Social Scene:
- Bloem is full of humble, friendly people. The people will make it special.
- Go out and enjoy the town - school productions, UFS orchestras, live shows, Boeremark, Bloemskou, etc
Additional Comments:
- Lots of typical FamMed politics, but you truly are able to make a difference in the patients’ lives. And learn a lot about yourself in the meantime.
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