From June to July 2025, Year 4 Clinical Medicine students from School of Medicine, CUHK-Shenzhen, embarked on a four-week journey to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. With a passion for medicine and aspirations for the future, they explored the mysteries of obstetrics and gynecology, experienced the wonders of life, and laid the foundation for their future medical careers.

“A journey of intellectual enlightenment and an ascent toward professional aspirations.”

Nancy HE

This one-month elective was not only a journey of intellectual growth but also a step forward in my professional aspirations. From the moment I entered the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, I felt immersed in a whole new world of medicine. The hospital environment was impeccably organized and efficient, with medical staff operating in clearly defined roles while maintaining seamless teamwork.

Under the patient guidance of my mentors, I had the opportunity to observe and even participate in daily clinical work. Through this exchange, I saw firsthand how theoretical knowledge translates into practical application and guides clinical decision-making.

Hong Kong’s medical system places strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and multidisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that medical decisions are both scientifically grounded and well-considered. Moreover, I noticed that Hong Kong places greater weight on clinical skills and professional ethics in assessments, reinforcing my belief that a competent doctor must not only have a solid academic foundation but also excellent hands-on abilities and a strong sense of professionalism. During my time there, I actively engaged with mentors and peers, learning from their exam preparation strategies and study methods. This experience has given me a clearer perspective and better readiness for my future medical licensing exams.

“A discipline that demands extensive experience, patience, and an artistic touch.”

Anna FENG

My four-week clinical attachment at Prince of Wales Hospital opened a new horizon in high-risk obstetrics. As a major referral center for complex obstetric cases in Hong Kong, it gathers the most challenging clinical conditions and cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, allowing me—a medical student—to glimpse the depth and breadth of obstetric medicine.

Under the meticulous guidance of Professor Leung, I had the privilege of encountering a series of textbook-level cases: from the delicate management of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome to dynamic monitoring of selective fetal growth restriction; from identifying sonographic features of fetal lower urinary tract obstruction to multidisciplinary approaches for managing megacystis. These cases not only enriched my clinical knowledge but also deepened my understanding of the profound responsibility obstetricians carry. Particularly unforgettable were the observations of radiofrequency ablation for selective fetal reduction and vesicoamniotic shunting—where the surgeon’s expertise and the team’s seamless coordination perfectly embodied the patient-centered philosophy of care.

The differences in obstetric ultrasound practice between Hong Kong and China left a lasting impression on me. Here, obstetricians perform the entire ultrasound examination themselves, an "all-in-one" clinical model with distinct advantages: real-time integration of imaging findings with clinical decision-making and dynamic fetal assessment, significantly improving efficiency. Through repeated observation and learning, I gradually realized that fetal ultrasound is far more than a simple measurement technique—it is a discipline requiring extensive experience, patience, and an artistic touch. Obtaining accurate data often means waiting for the fetus to "cooperate" in achieving the optimal position, mastering precise standard planes, and mentally reconstructing 2D images into 3D anatomical structures.

The most valuable lesson from this attachment was recognizing that obstetricians must be both highly skilled clinicians and empathetic supporters. Facing anxious expectant mothers, doctors here consistently ease worries with professional yet warm communication; when managing complex cases, they demonstrate decisive clinical judgment. This balance of compassion and technical excellence represents the professional ethos I aspire to cultivate in my future medical practice.

I am deeply grateful to Professor Leung and all the mentors for their selfless guidance, not only opening the door to high-risk obstetrics but also exemplifying the essence of medical compassion through their teachings. This experience will undoubtedly remain a milestone in my medical journey, inspiring me to continue exploring and advancing in the field of medicine.

“Medical practitioners in Hong Kong juggle diverse responsibilities.”

Wendy SHENG

During this clinical rotation, I trained in both the Prenatal Screening Laboratory and Gynecologic Oncology Department. My mentors thoroughly demonstrated the end-to-end clinical workflow, from specimen processing and bioinformatics analysis to risk assessment interpretation, which helped contextualize these advanced methodologies. They also generously shared insights into CUHK’s pioneering genomic technologies, including platforms like FetalSeq and ChromoSeq.

I observed Hong Kong's integrated medical practice where OB/GYNs multitask as sonographers, enabling patients to receive complete diagnostics without department transfers, and where procedures like hysteroscopies are efficiently performed outpatient without hospitalization, significantly improving efficiency and reducing patient burden, all while supervisors provided real-time clinical teaching by explaining indications, anatomical landmarks, and treatment plans during procedures.

The high concentration of classic cases, particularly in postmenopausal bleeding clinics featuring numerous cases of uterine polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, and space-occupying lesions, reflects Hong Kong's mature tiered referral system where GPs conduct precise screening and refer only suspected severe cases to specialists, effectively transforming teaching hospitals into "libraries of classic cases."

Left to Right: Prof. Alice SIU, Prof. TY LEUNG, Prof. WANG Chi Chiu; MED4 Students: Rachel SHU, Wendy SHENG, Becky YU, Nancy HE, Anna FENG