Eligibility:	Doctors aiming to become hand surgeon specialists after acquiring an orthopedic or plastic surgery specialist certification
Period:	Three months
Salary:	No salary will be paid, but accommodations will be provided by the hospital.
Contact:	Keizo Fukumoto (Fukumoto@jikei.or.jp)

Training Report

June to August 2022, Patrick Michael V. Manalaysay , MD

Patrick Michael V. Manalaysay , MD From Sarangani Provincial Hospital- Malungon, Sarangani Province, Philippines

Stepping out of my comfort zone was very hard at the beginning. When I started in Saitama Jikei Hospital, I admit there was that feeling of anxiety being away from home, being in a new and unfamiliar environment, meeting new people who I will spend the next three months training with. The anxiety dissipated rather quickly, as the hospital and its staff made me feel comfortable as soon as I arrived.
In my residency training back home, I was exposed to a lot of trauma cases. This is why I chose a program for fellowship training where I would be exposed to new cases, ones I felt I needed more to learn from. I wanted to learn more in the field of hand surgery and the Saitama Jikei Hospital has been so generous in providing just that.
For 3 months, I attended their preoperative and postoperative conferences where we evaluated cases, planned and discussed outcomes. We also had a journal presentation every week which became essential to me as I learned and updated myself with the latest information in this field. What I liked most during these conferences is that we had hand therapists of the institute with us, ensuring that the patients got the proper post operative rehabilitation to get them back to their premorbid state swiftly. We also went on morning rounds, seeing all admitted patients in the ward as part of our postsurgical care. This process of learning has taught me that post operative care and rehabilitation is just as important as the preoperative planning and intraoperative decision making. I saw how every step is essential in providing a complete and holistic approach to the care provided to the patients.
I was given the opportunity to be trained in microsurgery as well. I spent hours in the training room every week where I was taught the basics and the different techniques by different staff members which has provided me a very good foundation as I start my journey in microsurgery.
I was able to observe and assist in a wide variety of surgeries such as tendon transfers, Dupuytrens contracture release, toe to thumb transfers, cubital tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, congenital deformities of the hand, different management for CM joint arthritis, free flaps (SCIP, Medial Pedis, Vascularized bone grafting), surgeries for osteoarthritis of the DRUJ and the most exciting of all which is replantation surgery of digits just to name a few.
I am very honored and humbled to have trained in this great institute. This experience has really taught me a lot in the field of hand surgery and microsurgery. This institute has been so generous in providing its time and expertise, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the very conducive learning environment. For aspiring hand surgeons like me, it has been a pleasure working with state-of-the-art equipment, a wide variety of cases, and last but not the least, the people who, as mentors guided me with their impressive surgical skills and vast knowledge in this field. I am grateful for everything, and will never forget this experience. I look forward to learning more and sharing the knowledge I acquired to my fellow orthopedic surgeons back home so that we may mirror the excellent care I've learned here in Saitama Jikei Hospital – Hand and Microsurgery Institute.

 

April to July 2023, Ronald A. Dela Peña, MD

Ronald A. Dela Peña, MD, DPBO. Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines.

I stayed at Saitama Jikei Hospital for 3 months. During my stay, I gained invaluable experience that has shaped my skills and expertise in this specialized filed. The hospital environment provided a rich learning experience, exposing me to a diverse range of hand-related conditions and allowing me to work alongside experienced surgeons and medical professionals.
Throughout my training, I had the privilege of participating in numerous surgeries involving hand trauma, reconstructive procedures, nerve repairs, flaps, and a lot of microvascular surgery. These hands-on experiences provided me with a deep understanding of surgical techniques, patient management, and the intricacies of hand anatomy.
Collaboration was a crucial aspect of my training as a hand fellow. We worked closely with a multidisciplinary team comprising occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals. This collaborative approach ensured that patients received holistic care, addressing both their surgical needs and rehabilitation requirements for optimal functional outcomes.
In addition to surgical exposure, I actively engaged in the preoperative and postoperative conference, and hospital rounds every morning. During Thursday, I had a chance to practice and improve my skills in microsurgery by practicing in the Microsurgery laboratory. Academic pursuits were also integral to my training. I participated in weekly journal club that focused new hand surgery techniques, exploring new treatments, and improving patient outcomes. Attending conferences and presenting research findings allowed me to contribute to the broader medical community and stay up to date with the latest advancements in hand surgery.
The hospital training environment not only honed my technical skills but also instilled in me a deep sense of compassion and empathy. Witnessing the impact that hand conditions have on individuals' lives, I have developed a strong commitment to providing patient-centered care, ensuring open communication, and tailoring treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs.
Overall, my training as a hand fellow in Saitama Jikei Hospital has provided me with a solid foundation to deliver comprehensive care, employing the latest surgical techniques, evidence-based practices, and a patient-centric approach. I am forever grateful for the mentorship and experiences I gained during this training, as they continue to shape my practice as a hand surgeon today.