Courses: I only completed a one month Internal Medicine rotation. I
worked in the ED for two weeks. Due to the shift changes in the ED, I worked
with different people each day, but had the opportunity to work with the same
people multiple times. Depending on the patients, I was able to take histories
or shadow and examine most patients. I was also able to give input into
diagnostic and therapeutic plans. I spent the second two weeks on the GI
service. I was bale to join the team on rounds in the mornings, joined multiple
attendings in clinics (hepatology, IBD) and spent a good deal of time observing
endoscopy. I also had the opportunity to learn some endoscopy technique in the
simulation lab. I really liked how flexible the departments were in allowing me
to do and see what interested me most and tailor my month to my interests. As
an exchange student, I did not complete any formal examination.
In terms of language. Every physician I worked with spoke
English. I estimate that 50% of patients spoke English. Overall, about 25% of
my patient interactions were entirely in English if the patient was
comfortable. Otherwise, the physician would translate periodically in patient
encounters so that I knew was was going on. In addition, all teaching and
medical discussion without patients was done in English. I rarely felt lost
because everyone around me was speaking Swedish. I did not participate in the
Swedish language courses offered.