The Accra College of Medicine (ACM), a private medical college, has held its sixth matriculation to usher in 16 students to pursue various programmes.
The occasion also witnessed the Fourth White Coat ceremony to mark the transition from the study of pre-clinical to clinical health sciences by 22 students to put to practice, at the hospitals, the knowledge they have acquired over the years.
Prof. Afua Hesse, the President of the College, admonished the matriculants to take advantage of the opportunities available in the school to achieve their goals.
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“Put to maximum use all the tools at your disposal here at ACM, the teaching and learning tools, the technology, which you have that was not available in our day, the awesome faculty and staff who are here to assist you achieve your goals and you will by all means make it with distinction and honour,” she said.
Prof Hesse called on the students to prepare for the herculean task ahead, noting that: “The amount of knowledge coming your way will be exponential but no matter what, you have the assurance from those who have gone ahead of you that it is doable, so you also can do it.”
“Just remember you chose this profession. Set your face like flint towards the finish line of graduation”.
To the clinical students she advised them to care for their patient’s while protecting themselves.
“Your interactions with patients require you to ensure you adhere strictly to wearing your face masks in addition to the face shields as you take histories, examine and interact with your patients to protect both the patients and yourselves,” she said
Professor Fred Binka, Member of the ACM Board, told the clinical students that the white coat ceremony is a reminder of their professional duties as prescribed in the Hippocratic Oath.
“You have made a lifelong commitment to helping the sick, prevent disease, promote health and offer rehabilitation as the case may be…. I wish to stress the need to document all your interaction with your patients, include the advice, choice of treatment options and advice to the family,” he said.
“What is not documented is not done. Clinical studentship is an apprenticeship and must be learnt by the bedside of the patient. Acquire and adopt the right attitudes. You will learn from every member of the team; nurses, pharmacist, biomedical scientists, IT technicians, laboratory technicians, cleaners and patients,” he said.
GNA
