More updates this week because I'm able to see and do a lot more. I spent yesterday afternoon learning about the IMCI program which is sort of a triage and diagnosis process for various illnesses and diseases. We had a lecture from one of the doctors after lunch. The culture here is so great because in the middle of the lecture people kept coming in and out of the room to retrieve things, ask our 'lecturer' questions, and he even stopped at one point to answer his cell phone. I've learned to adapt to this and even enjoy the constant interruption. So typical of Vietnam. A few of us got a tour of the main hospital building after that. We have only seen the pediatric hospital up to this point, so it was nice to see where the adults were being treated.
This morning I was paired up again with Bac Si Luong to practice the IMCI program on actual patients. We were followed by approximately 20 other medical and nursing students. It was overwhelming. We would crowd around 1 patient's bed and do the exam. Can you picture this happening back home? It was also intimidating for me as I had 20 sets of eyes watching and analyzing my entire examination. Now I know what Bac Si Hau felt the other day when he did the catheter placement. After we saw 3 patients, I was paired up with Bac Si Chi who is an endocrinologist. She was doing outpatient visits and I saw 4 patients with her who all had Grave's disease. So interesting! These patients all had large goiters and delayed growth and development.
This afternoon we head back to have a tour of the adult ICU and then I will spend time on the pediatric nephrology unit. I'm hoping to see some more kids with nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis. I will keep you updated on how that goes.
This week is a long one and I think some people on the team are beginning to feel it. We have long days at the hospital followed by afternoons of homework and then team meetings in the evening. We don't really have much 'free time.' That has been a challenge for me, but I'm adjusting okay. Luckily, I am surrounded by many encouraging and uplifting women who are in the same boat. We can do this, right? Whatever the situation, I am still completely grateful and overwhelmed to be here each day. What a blessing to wake up in Vietnam every morning and head to the hospital to provide care and education to the people here.
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