CMSA Accreditations:
DCH(SA) DCH(SA)
Dip Obst(SA) Dip Obst(SA)
DipPEC(SA) DipPEC(SA)
Rural Allowance: Yes
Duration of Rotation: 12 months
Doctors Quarters:
- Doctors quarters aren’t great and the accommodation around the area is also sparse without Many great alternatives.
Academics:
- Depending on the department you get teaching based on consultant/specialist interaction. Some have none where others have dedicated teaching rounds.
Supervision:
- Some departments you’re left alone often but mostly have a senior on call for advice during the day, during calls sometimes having to consult polokwane for specialist advice/referral. Also department specific. Paeds has 4 consultants so very well supervised. Family medicine has a specialist Family Physician. Internal medicine has one Consultant/senior chronic MO. Surgery have one consultant and a senior MO.
Clinical Exposure:
- Lots of pathology and patient interaction. Often having to manage patients independently with telephonic supervision however resource limitations restrict the ease of work up for patients and need to be referred to polokwane for further investigations
Departments worked in:
- Internal Medicine, ARV clinic, Emergency Department, OPD’s - Depending on clinical manager discretion and hospital need you can discuss rotations based on what time and experience you want and you can prioritize getting exposure for diplomas that are accredited at the hospital.
Social Scene:
- Not much to do outside the hospital. But lots of nature and many day trips around the area including Kruger park.
Additional Comments:
- The work balance is quite nice. Most days are relaxed with some busy days throughout each rotation. It’s an interesting experience into rural medicine in a semi-developed town with a large mall that has all the shops needed and some fast food restaurants. The people are incredibly friendly, the nursing staff are very willing to help make your year easier and provide a great support structure in any department you’re working in. A lot of your rotation experience will depend on your colleagues in your department and how they work. Some are very dedicated and willing to help with patients where some departments have challenges with some of their colleagues, but they are definitely in the minority. I was sad about getting this placement at first but after my year here I’ve learned a lot and managed to take away more than enough from the experience for it to have been a good one and not just a wasted year in a rural comm serve placement. Would recommend not swapping this post away if you are placed here and don’t know about the other hospital options and would recommend it as a fifth choice post if you aren’t sure where else to go.
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