Yesterday was our first day of clinic. We drove out to the village that we were in the day before and set up chairs and tables in the church. We were able to see 27 patients throughout the day. ISL values the students spending time with the patients so they receive the best care possible and we can learn. We talk to the patient, get to know a little bit about their condition and their day-to-day life, complete a physical assessment and discuss a possible diagnosis. After we have come to a possible conclusion and treatment, the doctor will come over and we present the case to him. He will tell us what we missed, what we did correctly and help us with diagnoses and prescriptions. Then, we get the patient their medicine, send them on their way and invite the next patient in. We had three groups so we were able to see three people at one time. We saw everything from a young girl getting headaches due to her need for glasses to an elderly man who we believe had prostate cancer. For situations like these, we can do an assessment and refer them to another care provider who can complete the necessary tests. My friend who was here last week as well said that they believed that a young girl had leukemia and so the ISL students were all able to chip in some money so that the mother could take her to the clinic and get the necessary tests. A lot of times, these people can’t do anything about their condition because they don’t have the money to get the testing done or treatment needed.
After we finished up the clinic in the middle of the afternoon, we went out to a lagoon and a couple of us swam. This probably wasn’t my wisest choice…my stomach is making me pay for it today! But, it was gorgeous and we all had a great time. We had some pizza for dinner and headed back to the hotel. We are all exhausted by the end of the day!
We are still having a blast!
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