crazy is the forecast all week

So we, iMed 2017, finally marched - or shall I say, Sablay-ed - yesterday. We’re officially degree-holders (yes, that’s the degree, up there in the title). But unlike most graduates there yesterday, our journey in our program is far from over. We’ve got two more years to go, in fact, before we can call ourselves full-fledged doctors.

It was odd - we all considered it as a “fake” graduation, because this was just a reminder that - hey, we’ve finished the first four/five years of the program. Sure, our Intarmed class decided to celebrate by having a Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Dinner, but we all knew that we’re still about to be clerks in a few weeks, and we’re simply not done.

I’d always assumed that it wasn’t really that important, that it really isn’t a big deal. There isn’t much you can do with a BS BMS degree. But yesterday’s ceremony proved me wrong. It was a reminder that I was fortunate to have gotten into Intarmed in the first place - and that I couldn’t have done this without the other 35 amazing people of iMed 2017. It was a reminder of all the hard work and sacrifice we, and our families, have done over the past five years - and a reminder that there is still more to come, as well.

It finally sunk into me, while shifting my Sablay from right to left, that I finally have a degree. And while singing UP Naming Mahal, left fist raised, all I could think at that moment was this - Thank you, UP, for this opportunity you have given me.

Lately, I’ve noticed a spike in multilevel marketing posts and advertisements in my Facebook feed. People trying to sell this supplement, that soap - even sanitary napkins! - claiming that these are beneficial and better than products that have already been proven to work, without research backing it up. Already alarming is the sheer number of people willing to buy these products, claiming that they’re health conscious so they’d rather buy these. Even worse, though, is the fact that sellers of these products are spreading misleading and incorrect information about different medical conditions - and people are swallowing these as fact.

As health care professionals, our goal is to ensure the well-being of other people, part of which includes promoting proper health-seeking behaviour. It is our duty to educate them about their bodies and how to properly take care of themselves, and to clarify whatever questions they may have. Our answers to these must be based on evidence. Not anecdotes, not hearsay, but well-conducted clinical trials and scientific research. The layperson may not know how to appraise scientific literature, but we do - and we should do it for our patients.

At the same time, we should also encourage people to become critical thinkers when it comes to health. Let them ask questions freely. They should be active players in the management of their own health, and we are there to provide the guidance they need.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to earn money. There is also nothing wrong about being vigilant about one’s health. But please, for the love of God, do not take advantage of people trying to take care of their health just to earn money. These sellers are putting their clients’ lives on the line, and when push comes to shove, it will fall on us medical professionals to take care of these victims of misinformation.

After all, it all boils down to this: primum non nocere. First, do no harm.

My world view has changed so much these past few months. Let’s just say I’ve been living more (which kinda explains why I’m not posting here much), thanks to the inherent benign-ness of 3rd year med and to my awesome blockmates (5-Star!), and orgmates (#WeCan #domore #bemore #swimsakto). 

Can’t believe ICC year is ending soon, but I think the best is yet to come! :)

So Palarong Med just ended and really, there are no words for the whole experience. Though I gave up several Friday nights and Saturday mornings just to train (in ice-cold water sometimes, if I may add), it never really felt like I had to give up something because swimming with this team was always something I looked forward to.

Because really, swim team is family.

#SwimSakto forever. :)