A physician volunteers in Honduras. Here ’s what she learned.

I quickly finished my day’s work in the resident’s clinic (documentations, relaying results) and raced home to hurriedly double check the list of things that I would need for my week long medical mission in Roatán, Honduras. The air was frigid, and my pace matched the wind. In the 2-hour car ride to the airport, my mind was alive and restless; making mental note after mental note about our endeavor but most of all there was an excitement that reverberated with expectations and imaginations of practicing a novel form of medicine, and of course, bettering lives. Ever since medical school, there is a sense of altruism that every doctor nurtures. To me, serving an underserved population in the most rural parts of a developing nation fulfilled that in the most complex and complete way. Although, in all honesty, apart from my genuine enthusiasm, three years of training in a model American health care system and a few hours of tropical medicine readings, I did not board the plane with an in-depth knowledge or experience on how to practice third world medicine. With intermixed feelings of doubt and anticipation, I placed my trust in my mentors who had successfully participated in 10 such medical missions. “They lead, and I follow, they instruct, and I perform,” I reassured myself. We filled the next few days with avid preparation, in the backdrop of riveting views of crystal waters, and deep blue skies. The following day, the medical team along with the pharmacy volunteers, ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Primary care Source Type: blogs