A Family Doctor’s Tale (Updated 2021‪)‬

This book is a true story based on my journey as a medical student to become a Family Doctor and the medical illnesses that were seen during my practice

This is the first book that I wrote in 2012 about my journey as a medical student to become a family doctor and the skills in diagnosing and treating medical disorders seen in my family practice.

It is not a story about becoming a rich doctor but a doctor who is involved in the community, working for the community and helping the poor.

Just 4 months ago I was helping out in the Buona Vista community center to answer questions on Covid-19 and the necessity of Covid-19 vaccinations.

Working in hospitals during my housemanship (medical intern) was challenging especially when it involved many night duties and insufficient beds to sleep in.

The monthly pay was $600 Singapore dollars a month in 1972 but the experience helped to mold a doctor 's outlook in life.

Hospital life teaches comradeship among colleagues and nurses.

Patients that young doctors take care of had more serious illnesses and needed more comforting words and treatment.

Private practice was much easier and provided a better pay.

The medical experience of communication with the senior doctors and the patients is one of the most important learning journey in a young doctor's life.

You learn to be humble when you see how the poorer community lives and still remains happy despite their low income.

You see the gratitude in their faces when you provide them with medicines and free milk powder for their children.

You are happy when they recover from their illness when they thought that there is no hope.

A family doctor is sometimes part of a family of patients.

Problems in the family are entrusted to you:
1. Complaints about the children and their parents,
2. Incompatibility between spouses,
3. Cancer stricken patients, terminal patients.

It is all part of a family doctor's life.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter 1 – IN THE BEGINNING
Chapter 2 – THE NEW DOCTOR
Chapter 3 – THE ENT DEPARTMENT
Chapter 4 – A TALE OF 2 CANCERS
Chapter 5 - THE ANESTHETIC DEPARTMENT
Chapter 6 – A TALE OF 2 ANESTHETISTS
Chapter 7 – ANESTHESIA, SURGEONS and SLEEP
Chapter 8 – THOMSON ROAD GENERAL HOSPITAL
Chapter 9 – EMERGENCIES AND NIGHT DUTIES
Chapter 10 – MALARIA PATIENT
Chapter 11 – THE MILK DRIP
Chapter 12 - VALLEY OF THE DOLLS
Chapter 13 – INSECTICIDE POISONING
Chapter 14 – MEDICAL COLLEAGUES
Chapter 15 – MEDICAL LOCUM
Chapter 16 – THE RUNDOWN FAMILY CLINIC
Chapter 17 – GROUP PRACTICE LOCUM
Chapter 18 – FACTORIES, SHIP AND HOUSE CALLS
Chapter 19 – MY OWN FAMILY CLINIC
Chapter 20 – MY FIRST PATIENT
Chapter 21 – WORD OF MOUTH
Chapter 22 – MY COMMUNITY OF PATIENTS
Chapter 23– THE FAMILY DOCTOR
Chapter 24 – ART OF COMMUNICATION IN FAMILY PRACTICE
Chapter 25 – FAMILY COUNSELOR
Chapter 26 – ASSISTANT DOCTOR
Chapter 27 – PARTNERSHIP
Chapter 28 – PIN IN THE FOOT
Chapter 29 – ARTHRITIS CASES
Chapter 30 – ASTHMA AND BREATHLESSNESS
Chapter 31 – GASTRITIS
Chapter 32 – GASTROENTERITIS
Chapter 33 – TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
Chapter 34 – SKIN INFECTIONS
Chapter 35 – THE COMMON COLD
Chapter 36 – INFLUENZA
Chapter 37 – STORY OF AMAZING COLD SORE VIRUS
Chapter 38 – ORIGINAL POEM ON SPA
Chapter 39 – A DAY AT THE SPA
Chapter 40 – COMPASSION
EPILOGUE