Visit to PIMS – October 20, 2022
Thursday, October 20, 2022 was a Day we were eagerly looking forward to. The cool and cheery early morning ride brought us to the green and tranquil campus of PIMS (the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Science). We were warmly welcomed by the host with the itinerary for the day in hand. Our first stop was at histo- pathology lab,where the process of blood testing happens, that is, between the time blood is given for test to the time report arrives . Anatomy museum , though fairly familiar from the pictorial representations , to observe parts of the body preserved in formalin and displayed with labels did rouse our curiosity .The ECG machine was demonstrated in the cardiology Department. It was interesting to learn that Doppler effect , an important study in acoustics, is the basis of the information received using the Scan. As we walked through the general ward , we were shown vast range of equipments used in surgery. Adjacent to the Forensic Department is the Mortuary. At this point we took a short break for lunch and our next halt was at the Library. A fascinating place, with huge volumes stacked up subject wise. The last leg of the tour was the paediatric ward, followed by the much- awaited VR lab. This was an interesting feature where the students could practice procedures like injecting a syringe through virtual reality first before trying it on a patient.
Listening to the doctors and their daily routine, we realise, being a doctor means much more than stethoscopes and white lab coats. It means accuracy, incredible precision and patience, a steady hand and a strong mind; it also definitely means not wrinkling one’s nose at the smallest sign of blood or muscle tissue, as many of us do. As we were taking leave of PIMS, the student guides wished us luck , hoped many would opt for medicine as profession. Well, while that is not a certainty, this exposure cleared the fog that hungover the future of many of us and has given some sort of clarity of what we are working towards. From confusion and apprehension to excitement and eagerness. Undoubtedly, we owe this to Christwood.!
