Little Lives, Big Future: Exploring Paediatrics Together at NUMed
On October 26, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) proudly hosted Little Lives, Big Future: Exploring Paediatrics Together, an inspiring event organised by the NUMed Paediatrics Society in partnership with NUMed Child Health lecturers.
31 October 2024
On October 26, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) proudly hosted Little Lives, Big Future: Exploring Paediatrics Together, an inspiring event organised by the NUMed Paediatrics Society in partnership with NUMed Child Health lecturers. The day aimed to deepen understanding of complex paediatric topics, foster hands-on learning, and inspire future doctors to consider paediatrics as a speciality.
Aiming to Inspire Future Paediatricians
The event focused on shedding light on critical paediatric topics that are often underrepresented in medical school curricula while providing practical learning opportunities. With a mission to go beyond lectures and classroom study, the organisers crafted a unique experience that enabled students to engage in real-world scenarios, gaining valuable insights into working with young patients. "Our goal was to create a platform where challenging topics could be explored in a way that both encourages understanding and inspires more students to choose paediatrics," said Bhumika Jethnani, President of the NUMed Paediatrics Society and event chairperson.
Event Highlights and Activities
The day unfolded in two vibrant sessions, welcoming a diverse group of 90 students in the morning and 45 in the afternoon. The high turnout underscored the strong interest in paediatric care, drawing participants from NUMed as well as other institutions. For the first time, the event featured an interactive workshop with three immersive stations designed to address complex aspects of paediatric care.
At one station, students practised assessing children with Down syndrome, interacting with volunteers who generously shared their time to enrich the learning experience. Another station focused on the critical skill of explaining Down syndrome to families, simulated by role-players, which allowed students to experience the sensitivity required in real-life interactions. The final station explored techniques for assessing autism in children, with role-players guiding students in establishing trust and conducting effective evaluations. Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to gain practical experience in skills not often covered in standard paediatric rotations.
Expert Insights into Paediatrics
The event was honoured to welcome four distinguished guest speakers, each a leading expert in a key area of paediatrics. Dr Liew Zhe Yi, Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, shared his expertise on paediatric respiratory health. Dr Che Hadibiah binti Che Mohd Razali, Consultant and Head of Department in Paediatric Haematology and Oncology at Hospital Sultan Ismail, provided insights into the challenges and advancements in paediatric oncology. Dr Hasliza A Razak, a Paediatric Respiratory Specialist at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, offered a broad perspective on paediatric care, while Dr Tajul Arifin bin Tajudin, Consultant in Paediatric Neurology at KPJ Puteri Specialist Hospital, discussed the nuances of neurological paediatric care. Their sessions inspired students by highlighting both the challenges and the meaningful impact of working in paediatric healthcare.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Bhumika shared, "It was so fulfilling to see my dream of this event come to life, with the support and guidance of my fellow committee members and the NUMed Child Health lecturers. Last year, we hosted a smaller, half-day event with only four talks. This year, expanding to include interactive workshops allowed us to bring real-world skills directly to students."
Bhumika and the organising committee expressed heartfelt thanks to the NUMed Child Health lecturers for their unwavering support, as well as to NUMed for sponsoring thoughtful door gifts, including pens and tokens of appreciation for the speakers. The gifts—a pin, lanyard, notebook, and NUMed pen—were warmly received by all attendees, adding a special touch to an inspiring day.
Looking to the Future
Little Lives, Big Future: Exploring Paediatrics Together achieved its goal of raising awareness and providing critical learning experiences in paediatric care. With students now better equipped with practical knowledge and inspiration, NUMed hopes this event will inspire future healthcare professionals to pursue paediatrics, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for little lives everywhere.