Elective Program Report
Sep 12 - October 7 2016
Taipei Medical University

Shinsaku Nakazawa,
Faculity of medicine Kobe University

Introduction
This is about my 4 weeks Exchange program in Taiwan at Taipei Medical University
Hospital (TMU Hospital), and also I’d like to tell something special in my daily life there. I
have to let you know the first day hospital from arrival.

The first day
I arrived in Taiwan one day before my Exchange program, Sep 12 to October 7.
Fortunately, jet lag between Taiwan and Japan is only one hour, so it’s not a problem.
However, my radio-controlled watch works for only in Japan and I didn’t realize that forfive days it was a trouble. In Taipei, MRT is an AGT, like “Port Liner” in Kobe, it’s very
convenient, therefore, they don’t have to take buses or taxies, they can go anywhere theywant, downtown or famous places. We can use “Easy Card” just like “Suica” or “ICOCA”
in Japan, it is available for everything buying tickets, shopping or of course vending
machines in Taipei. If you can have one, it makes your life there easier. My first day, thanksto this card I was able to reach TMU hospital from my hotel I made reservation inadvance.

The first week
I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are taking care for the patient from otherdepartment with Kampo or acupuncture. I’ve ever learned acupuncture at Kobe university,
but that was the first time to see the scene of acupuncture. When I saw the doctor did thetreatment of acupuncture for patient by the head or by the face, I was so surprised.
Besides, I have a chance to see the mix of Kampo. The teacher told me to taste one of those
Kampo, I tried some yellow powder, actually I like one of them, “Kakkonto”. I thought itdelicious. Review of the first week, on Friday, the chief professor of Traditional Chinese
Medicine said that Oriental medicine, they say “Blue Ocean”, can cover Western medicine.
Blue ocean, means there is massive information that still we don’t know that is an
unknown world. I understand, it’s very important for us to learn not only Oriental
medicine but also Western medicine, because we should know about limitation of Westernmedicine.

The second week
I heard Taiwan was famous for its Cosmetic Surgery. I wanted to see that operation
which I had never seen at BSL (Bed Side Learning) when I was in the fifth grade at Kobe
University, so I chose to study in Taiwan. The first day, I saw the suture operation of skinby bike accident and the reconstructive surgery in breast cancer. The second day, myfriends, learned at the same time in the TMU told me Cosmetic surgery in Taiwan was justlike Plastic surgery in Japan and I noticed for the first time. Reconstructive surgery for aftersurgery from other department or traffic accident. Especially, when they operate breast,
carry out in two times and that’s very important and “New Product” nipple made of silicon
can help the improvement of the quality of life. I learned a lot of things.

The third week
The training of Family Medicine, I’ve wanted to study most in Taiwan, because we don’t
have any specialities in Japan, I’m interested in their ways of working. I was able toobserve, patients with chronic phase or patient with acute phase at outpatient clinic. Alsoon Thursday I had a chance to house calls to nearby patient. I learned how to carry themthrough a narrow stairs and how to take them to the hospital. Besides, I could study
difference between Taiwan and Japan, house of structure or the way of family life.

The fourth week
The last week, I studied Radiation Oncology. I’ve been studying Radiology since sixth
grade at Kobe University, so I’ve wanted to know how different from that of Taiwan.
When I actually saw that they were very alike, Tomo Therapy as well. Some teachers said
that they learned in Japan and then they brought back to Taiwan. I hope that cooperative
relationship between both countries will be stronger. It was difficult for me to guesseverything because they were in Chinese. However clear image of CT or MRI helped me tounderstand what is necessary for the patient.

Finally
I’ve never been in foreign country for a month before, so I had expectations and there
was anxiety in the same way. Once I stepped in Taiwan, I felt warming of the climate inspite of three big typhoons. To my big surprise some people asked me “Nihon-jin desuka?”
not “Are you a Japanese?”. “Do in Rome as the Romans do.” they say. When you are in
their place you’ll notice the difference and then you may realize your place better thanyou’ve thought. Furthermore, we can deeply understand each other. I’d like to thankeveryone for staffs of Educational Affairs Office in TMU and Kobe University, professors,and doctors giving me a great opportunity.