Local Beijing Newspaper Interviews Dr. Michelle Savu
The following article is adapted from the Beijing Youth Daily interview, 抗疫故事 | “救死扶伤是医者责任” 抗击疫情中在华外籍医生的坚守", available at https://app.bjtitle.com/8816/newshow.php?newsid=5560682&mood=wx&typeid=99&ntype=0
Since the novel coronavirus appeared and cases were identified in Wuhan, there has been an increasing number of suspected and confirmed cases in Beijing. What’s your understanding of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and what’s your personal experience during this epidemic?
This is a unique time in China’s history when it has faced a challenge of the rapid spread of the new virus causing much disease and suffering. Once the Chinese government recognized the seriousness of the COVID-19 disease and its potential for rapid spread, it took extraordinary measures to quarantine a large city in an effort to contain the disease. This type of response is likely only possible here in China. As a result, although the virus has spread throughout China and elsewhere, it appears that the early quarantine has indeed lessened the spread of the virus and potentially saved many lives. At the same time, many people, especially in Wuhan, have suffered at this time. The world has watched the many selfless acts of the Chinese people, helping their fellow citizens at great personal cost. This is witnessed by the rapid construction of hospitals and the dedication of the healthcare workers, and we salute these people.
As for my personal experience here in Beijing, the epidemic has obviously affected my work patterns and ability to go out in the city. At the hospital, we have been very vigilant to carefully protect others and ourselves with temperature checks, wearing protective masks, and washing our hands often. At home, we have restricted going out and have learned to do more things inside.
As a General Surgeon, has your work been affected in any way? What are your primary roles and responsibilities during the epidemic period? Are there patients, co-workers, or events that are quite memorable?
Currently, I am working fulltime at BJU's Department of Surgery. I worked during Chinese New Year and took calls for surgical emergencies throughout the last week of January through the first two weeks of February. I continue to perform surgery at our hospital for patients who need urgent surgeries, after we take special precautions. One of our patients had visited several hospitals before coming to BJU with acute abdominal pain, but none of the hospitals could take her because they had too many patients. By the time she came to see us, she was becoming much worse with her blood pressure decreasing and was in need of urgent surgery. Thankfully, we were able to perform her surgery right away. At the time of surgery, we found that her appendix had gangrene and was at risk of causing severe peritoneal infection. We were able to do the surgery quickly and she recovered well, leaving our hospital in only two days, fully recovered.
I am inspired by my coworkers who are working with fever patients. This is a high-risk position because they can be potentially exposed to the virus and therefore, these doctors and nurses feel stressed that they or their love ones are at risk of the infection. I try to do simple things like delivering cookies to them to help ease their stress. At least this makes them smile, although it is difficult to eat when you have so much protective gear to get through!
Some countries have evacuated their citizens from China. What is the reason that makes you, as a foreigner, decide to stay in China and work?
I decided to stay in Beijing because when I chose to become a physician, I committed myself to help my patients no matter where in the world I am serving and especially in times of a healthcare crisis. I see it as a privilege and a duty to help our fellow humanity in times of need.
How do you keep your work-life balance during this epidemic period? What measures have you taken to keep yourself and your family healthy and safe? What was your family's attitude towards your work during the outbreak? Did they encourage you, or did they also express worries and concerns?
During the crisis, to help with work-life balance, I have taken walks in the park, even visiting the park behind the Forbidden City to take pictures after the snow. I wore a mask and gloves at all times and did not stay in crowded places. I have been making homemade dinners and playing board games with my family. We also started doing yoga together as a family. In addition, I also learned to knit during this time. I had to restart a few times but I am getting better!
To keep my family and myself safe, I separate my work outfits from my home outfits and disinfect anything I bring home from work, such as my phone and keys before I use them at home. I am constantly washing my hands, both at home and at work.
Although my family would prefer I return to my home country, they understand my reasons for staying and have fully supported my decision at this time.
As the outbreak evolves, what do you see or plan for your next move in your work? What advice do you have for the patient who may have medical needs? For example, what patients can wait and should avoid going to the hospital now, and what patients still need to see a doctor as soon as possible?
For now, I have plans to keep doing my job as a surgeon to help those in need. I also am doing my best to support other international medical colleagues through my work with the Beijing International Medical Society. I give lectures in English via the internet, covering up-to-date information on the medical literature about the COVID-19 disease [the video is available on Tencent videos as Update of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (COVID-19)]. In addition, I have helped to set up a free mental health support line for anyone feeling mental stress, available through UFH, by calling 139 11727074. This service is available in both Chinese and English and provides a free phone number or email to talk to a counselor about how to handle stress during this difficult time. I am hoping that it will help not only persons in Beijing and Shanghai, where it is based, but also Wuhan where the stress level is very high. No one should feel they have to handle their stress alone; we are all in this together.
As far as surgical needs, you should come to hospital if you have worsening abdominal pain with fever, nausea, or vomiting. You should not wait if you have these symptoms.
If you have a fever and think you may have been exposed to persons who have been in Wuhan or Hubei province, or someone who has had the virus, then you need to come to the hospital to be tested. Not all persons with a fever will have the COVID-19 virus, but you must be careful.
Dr. Michelle Savu is BJU's Deputy Chair of Surgery. She specializes in robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and the surgical treatment of obesity. To make an appointment with Dr. Savu, call our service center at 4008-919191.