We started off the day at Birmingham City University by learning about female genital mutilation/cutting. This was a topic that was very unfamiliar to me, so I learned a lot during the lecture. It is a very sensitive and serious issue, and the presentation helped me better understand the physical, emotional, and cultural impacts it can have on individuals. The discussion also highlighted the importance of healthcare professionals being educated on difficult topics like this so they can provide safe, respectful, and supportive care for patients.
We learned that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a traditional practice in some cultures and includes all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injuries to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. During the lecture, we learned that there are no health benefits associated with the procedure. It is most often carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15. We also discussed how FGM/C is considered a violation of girls’ and women’s rights because it can affect their health, security, safety, and dignity. The lecture was very eye-opening and helped me better understand the importance of education, advocacy, and patient support surrounding sensitive healthcare issues like this.
We also learned about who is most at risk for female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Young girls are most commonly affected, especially in parts of Africa, Eastern Asia, and some western and northeastern regions of Africa where the practice is more common in certain cultures and communities. We learned that children born into families where the practice is traditional may be at greater risk, especially in situations involving poverty, limited education, or lack of communication and awareness about the harmful effects of the procedure. The lecture emphasized the importance of education, safeguarding, and healthcare advocacy in helping protect girls and women who may be vulnerable to FGM/C.
We learned that more than 230 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and an estimated 4 million girls are considered at risk each year. Hearing these statistics was shocking and helped show how widespread the issue still is around the world. We discussed how healthcare professionals work to help prevent this inhumane practice through education, advocacy, safeguarding, and patient support. The lecture emphasized the important role healthcare workers have in protecting vulnerable individuals and providing compassionate care for those who have experienced FGM/C.
We also discussed some of the reasons why female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) continues to be practiced in certain cultures and communities. In some cases, it is believed to bring status or respect to a girl and is viewed as part of becoming a woman. Other beliefs include ideas that it promotes cleanliness or purity, helps uphold virginity before marriage, protects family honor, and encourages social acceptance within the community. In many situations, the practice is also closely connected to cultural traditions and heritage that have been passed down through generations. Learning about these perspectives helped me better understand the cultural complexity surrounding the issue, while also recognizing the importance of education, human rights, and healthcare advocacy.
We also learned that there are four different types of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), which I did not know before attending the lecture. I found this information very educational because it showed how the procedures can vary in severity and impact. We also discussed many of the serious health consequences that can result from FGM/C, including infections, painful menstruation, severe pain, excessive bleeding, urinary problems, genital tissue swelling, and fever. In addition to the physical effects, many women also experience long-term emotional and psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Learning about these consequences made me better understand why healthcare education, advocacy, and patient support surrounding FGM/C are so important.
After this lecture, we then attended a children’s hospital, which was a very eye-opening experience for me. Before visiting, I never really thought I would want to work with children, but after experiencing the hospital today, it opened my eyes to so many new possibilities within healthcare. Seeing the environment, the patients, and the way the healthcare staff interacted with families gave me a new perspective on pediatric care.
One area that especially stood out to me was the Rainbow Room. It was very emotional to be in that space, but it also reminded me that difficult and heartbreaking situations are a reality in healthcare, and healthcare professionals need to be prepared to support patients and families through those moments. Even though it was hard emotionally, I think it was an important experience to have.
I also liked that the hospital had a chapel available for patients, families, and staff. I thought this was meaningful because hospitals can be stressful and emotional places, and having a quiet space for reflection, prayer, or comfort can be very important for many people.
We also walked through the PICU, and I noticed that it was designed as one large shared room rather than having mostly individual patient rooms like many hospitals in the United States. I found this difference very interesting. It made me think about how healthcare systems and hospital designs can reflect different priorities. In the United States, hospitals may place more emphasis on privacy, while the setup we saw in the United Kingdom may focus more on efficiency and visibility for healthcare staff caring for critically ill patients. Overall, I had a very insightful day and learned so much from all of the experiences throughout the day!
