Q1. Please tell us your impression of Kamogawa, Japan, and Kameda.
Upon arrival in Japan, I knew I was in for something beyond what I was expecting, and I thought I came well prepared. Traveling throughout Japan, everything is so fast moving and unfamiliar yet there is always someone willing to help. When I arrived in Kamogawa, I found a quiet, delightful town that seems almost untouched by the rest of Japan. It is a peaceful place to work and live, even for a foreigner. As the largest employer in Kamogawa, the characteristics found throughout the city are reflected in the hospital. The doctors, nurses and staff are all extremely helpful and easy to get along with. It is these people that have made Kameda one of the best hospitals in Japan and I am fortunate to have been able to spend time here.
Q2. What did you do (learn) while working at Kameda?
I started with rotations through nearly every department in the hospital where I was able to talk with the staff and ask questions about what they do. These rotations proved to be very helpful and I’m glad I will have a different perspective to take back to the US. After my rotations, I focused on writing a paper about pain control in Japan and the lower utilization rates of pain medication in Japan versus western nations. Lastly, I participated in many of the JCI internal audits and gave feedback as to how departments might better comply with JCI standards.
Q3. Are there any amazing cultural differences between Japan and the US?
I have been asked this question several times, and usually I give a different answer depending upon what I am thinking at the time. I have two examples right now. First, we are much more informal in the US. We mostly refer to individuals by their first name instead of family name-san. This was different for me and hard to get used to. Second, the only people in the US that wear masks are doctors or nurses during a procedure. Seeing them on the street, at a reception desk or on a bus was very different.
Q4. What did you like or dislike in Japan (food, culture, anything is OK)?
There was a lot to love in Japan. Let me start with my favorite foods: Gyudon, Sushi, Sashimi, Teppen-yaki, Ramen… the list goes on but again, that’s what I am thinking of right now, and I now know what I will have for dinner… As for culture, I really enjoyed being able to visit the shrines and temples, especially during a ceremony. I found this to be a very moving experience.
There wasn’t a lot that I didn’t like. Occasionally I found foods that I disliked such as crab brain and dried seaweed. I also find it difficult to remove my shoes, but I do like that it keeps my house so clean!
Q5: Did this stay change anything about you?
My stay in Japan was definitely an enlightening experience. I knew I had to be prepared for an experience unlike anything I’d ever had. The biggest thing it taught me was to be more flexible and ‘roll with the punches’. Not knowing the language and the customs, I mostly either had to react to what others were doing or follow directions; it was difficult to plan ahead. Along with this, I was unable to use my cell phone for maps, reservations, Internet, etc. (which in Tokyo, you might imagine can be difficult), but I still somehow managed! I think I learned to be a little more self-sufficient.
Q6. What is your favorite memory during this stay?
The entire summer was so incredible, but I will try to pick a couple. First, I love any interaction I get to have with patients, which can be difficult for me here as not all patients speak English. I was given the opportunity to speak with one patient from Miyagi prefecture who shared her story with me and I continued to visit with her. Another would be the week I spent traveling, taking in as much of the culture as possible in Japan. During the week I visited Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Iwakuni, and Kyoto.
Q7. Please tell us your future plans.
Upon my return to the US I will complete the final year of my health administration program. During this time I will apply for fellowships at large health systems across the US. Fellowships are similar to what I have done at Kameda but for a longer term. After completion of my fellowship, I have not yet decided whether I want to stay within a health system or try consulting.
Q8. Please give your message to Kameda’s staff.
Thank you to everyone at Kameda for welcoming me. This has been a truly extraordinary experience from start to finish. I believe there is much we can learn through the differences in our healthcare systems; this summer has helped me immensely and I hope it has helped some of you as well.
Whether I was in Kamogawa, Tokyo, Osaka or Kobe, the impact that Kameda Medical Center has had on Japan is clear. Kameda is a symbol of high quality and good customer service and it’s your hard work that made it that way. As I was reminded around Japan by Kameda-lovers everywhere, just remember to ‘Always Say Yes!’
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