My First Tagging On-Call Shift As A Floating Medical Officer
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My first tagging oncall shift was on a Sunday with a fellow medical officer I knew when I was a House Officer in General Surgery. Back then, he was having his attachment in General Surgery.
Just like a House Officer, we had to undergo a period of “tagging“.
In the Department of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery at Sarawak General Hospital, I had to undergo a tagging period of one month, every other day (EOD). This is because, I am a newborn medical officer with no previous experience in General Surgery (as a Medical Officer).
This is an advantage as I would be able to learn as much as I could within a span of 1 month. However, it was also a disadvantage as I’m afraid, I would be burnt out mentally and physically considering the on-calls were on every other day (EOD).
“I can do it. If others could, I could too.” , I repeated this mantra to myself but the learning curve is going to be an extremely steep one.
During my first tagging oncall, thankfully, it was with a fellow senior colleague who I was rather comfortable with.
We started with our morning ward rounds followed by passover and peri-rounds. After we were done, we went back to the ward to settle our pending job-lists followed by lunch.
As a tagging on-call medical officer, the first call would be to me for referrals. After which, I would discuss with my senior and proceed to see the referred patient together. After reviewing our newly electively admitted patients, pre-op rounds with surgeon and demarcating the op site and pre-op meeting, we went back home in the evening and returned at night together for our night reviews which we updated in the Department’s WhatsApp Group on the progress of certain patients. Incidentally, a patient whom we were awaiting for op was called into the operating theatre and the operation ended at 2am. Finally, we returned home for the night.
I was nervous of course as I usually get anxious easily. However, I took my shower and headed to bed.
My phone was kept beside me in case I were to receive calls or referrals. At 6am, I returned to the ward and started our morning reviews as well as prepared for our morning rounds.
Since, it was a Monday, it was morning ward rounds, handover and peri rounds as usual. However, since I was still tagging, I was expected to stay till 5pm or to join the ongoing surgeries.
Thus, my first postcall was spent in the operating theatre assisting till 6pm. However, despite the ongoing operation, I excused myself to return home and rest.
The following day will be another one, thankfully, not oncall but within office hours.
Thankfully, it was a good call with a fellow senior that I was comfortable with in terms of approaching in regards to my doubts which was undoubtedly, many.
I can only hope that I would be able to survive this whole month of tagging.
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My First Day As A Medical Officer In KKM
Related Posts:
- My First Day Of Locum And As A Medical Officer
- 2026 – The Beginning
- My First Night Shift In Emergency & Trauma | Housemanship Diaries
- Life After Offtag In Emergency & Trauma | Housemanship Diaries
- Day 1 Of My Final Posting – Day 647 Of Housemanship
- Surviving 10 Days Of Tagging | Emergency & Trauma Department
- My Last Shift As A House Officer in Medical | Housemanship Diaries
- Preparing For My Exit From The Medical Posting As A House Officer | Housemanship Diaries
- Surviving The Night Shift In The Medical Posting In General | Housemanship Diaries
- Part 1 – Life As A Peri Medical House Officer In Hospital Umum Sarawak | The Emergency Department
- Appreciation Towards The Medical Officers (MOs) – Housemanship Diaries
- 1 Year Of Housemanship Update – Housemanship Diaries
- Another Good Advice I Will Remember For The Longest Time – Housemanship Diaries
- Enjoying The Journey – Housemanship Diaries
Housemanship or Internship for Doctors in Malaysia lasts for a duration of 2 years, upon completion of our medical school journey.
For some, they began shortly upon graduation whilst for others, they took a gap year.
I submitted my application to pursue my internship in the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, KKM) shortly after my graduation but did not actually begin till 6 months later in 2023. Two years later, thankfully, I’ve completed and fully registered with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and possess a valid Annual Practicing Certificate (APC).
Post housemanship, I went on a 3-weeks-break and on the 21st of August 2025, I reported for duty as a Medical Officer.
Upon my completion of housemanship, one would have to go through a “floating period” of maximum 6 months prior to receiving their placement in whichever department, hospital or state of choice. Usually, the floating period occurs in the same hospital that one had completed their housemanship or internship in.
Thankfully, I was offered to float in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. However, I was diving into the world of Surgery with no experience or knowledge in basic suturing.
During my first day, I reported for duty at the Hospital Director’s Office to receive my “floating” placement letter, checked my remaining leaves and proceeded to Burn Ward of Sarawak General Hospital.
I’ve had good memories previously as a House Officer here and I was beyond ecstatic as well as relieved to be accepted into this department which is filled with understanding and helpful bosses.
I was then given orientation by one of the medical officers, clerked a burn patient that was just admitted and spent most of my time accompanying a fellow friend who thankfully is in the same department. Considering it was my first day and a rather slow one, I was able to return home at 5pm.
There’s just so much more that I have yet to learn. Hopefully, I’ll have both the mental and physical strength to push through.
Thankfully, the environment is one that is filled with love and encouragement.
Related Posts:
- My First Day Of Locum And As A Medical Officer
- 2026 – The Beginning
- My First Night Shift In Emergency & Trauma | Housemanship Diaries
- Life After Offtag In Emergency & Trauma | Housemanship Diaries
- Day 1 Of My Final Posting – Day 647 Of Housemanship
- Surviving 10 Days Of Tagging | Emergency & Trauma Department
- My Last Shift As A House Officer in Medical | Housemanship Diaries
- Preparing For My Exit From The Medical Posting As A House Officer | Housemanship Diaries
- Surviving The Night Shift In The Medical Posting In General | Housemanship Diaries
- Part 1 – Life As A Peri Medical House Officer In Hospital Umum Sarawak | The Emergency Department
- Appreciation Towards The Medical Officers (MOs) – Housemanship Diaries
- 1 Year Of Housemanship Update – Housemanship Diaries
- Another Good Advice I Will Remember For The Longest Time – Housemanship Diaries
- Enjoying The Journey – Housemanship Diaries
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About Me | Privacy Policy | Contact Me
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The Theoretical Doctor | Dr Jewel Nambiar
Hello & Welcome to My Channel! I am a Junior Doctor, practicing in the Sarawak General Hospital, Malaysia. - 🎴 Free NOTES / FLASHCARDS on the topic in the DESCRIPTION of the videos! Website: www.theoreticaldoctor.YouTube
