Södersjukhuset --- Say That Three Times Fast!

I began my elective surgery rotation in Stockholm at Sodersjukhuset Hospital with the requisite orientation day on August 28. Dr. Wladis (or, Andreas, as we are supposed to call him) met my international student group --- Laura from Finland, Vangelis and Byron from Greece, Jonathan and Nixon from Uganda, and me --- promptly at 1:00 p.m. in the main entrance of the hospital. We had our pictures taken, toured the main wards we'd be visiting, and learned what to expect over the next few weeks ... I found the following particularly interesting/amusing!

1) Punctuality: Swedes are obsessed with punctuality --- for a society fairly relaxed and tolerant about many things, they are intolerant of lateness. Frankly, this worries me the most with my bad habit of not always being on time ... !

2) Hygiene: We are not allowed to wear rings or watches when seeing patients and must be in scrubs at all times.

3) Fika: Don't mess with fika! Att fika (to fika) means to gather in the morning and afternoon for coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccinos, etc., and to visit and relax during the work day. These are stressed and almost obligatory!

4) Multi-functional: Sodersjukhuset (or SOS for short) was built in the 1940s and is the only hospital in the world accessible five different ways - by foot, ambulance or private vehicle, helicopter, train, or boat!

5) Scooters: I have seen several administrative and nursing staff whizzing about on self-propelled scooters in every color, shape, and size. I want one!

6) Emergencies: The SOS ER is the busiest in northern Europe, caring for some 200 - 250 patients per day. Andreas mentioned that they are struggling with the volume of cases that are primary care problems not suitable for the emergency room, such as sore throats, viral syndromes, and minor sprains. Sound familiar? Interestingly, the ER here is divided into a small surgery ward, as well as one for children, cardiology, and internal medicine, among other specialties.

7) Hierarchy: The American medical hierarchy does not exist here. You do have teams in the sense of a professor, residents, and medical students, but it would be strange if I addressed Andreas as Dr. Wladis. This will take some time getting used to ... as well as seeing doctors dressed in jeans and without ties!