resource settings. On shorter trips, you pack, unpack, set up, take down, and help in all aspects of the clinic, from triage and treatment to pharmacy and flow. In more longterm settings, you help stock, rotate, and label supplies. You may need to help patients check in and out of the clinic, take your own vitals, etc. No job is too small: you sweep up messes, take out the trash, or do anything else that is needed. Being willing and able to step in wherever there is a need is a strength of family medicine critical to global and low-resource medicine, at home and abroad. Fill the Right Need Medicine is all about meeting needs. As family docs, we know that sometimes a patient may have more needs than what we can possibly fill in one visit. When working in low-resource settings, this is often the case. So, we triage the needs and address the most important issues first. This year I had a few experiences remind me that the most salient need might not be the obvious one. One of these was in the Dominican Republic during a home visit to an elderly woman suffering from a neuromuscular disease. She needed to understand her illness and be connected with local resources to improve her health. Working with our team leader, a local physician, we set up a strong follow-up and referral plan. Need met, or so I thought. She thanked our team as each of us left her room. Being the last, I knelt down to be at her eye level to say goodbye. She looked at me, smiled and asked in Spanish, “Are you going to pray for me?” I responded, “Would you like me to pray for you?” She responded, “Por favor.” My prayer was simple, but we connected in a way I will not forget. She did need those other things addressed, but her true need was deeper. In Summary International travel is just one small aspect of global medicine, but these principles are helpful no matter where we practice. Remember, people are people, stay flexible, and while triaging what needs to address, do not neglect the deeper needs: the need to connect, the need to be seen, the need to know we care. Dr. Wardle is Assistant Professor of Primary Care Medicine, Director of Medical Spanish Elective, and Director of Global Medicine Track at Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah Campus in Ivins, Utah. An outdoor triage clinic in Kenya. Medicine is all about meeting needs. As family docs, we know that sometimes a patient may have more needs than what we can possibly fill in one visit. 25 |
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