MEDICINE: HERE AND THERE

By Hannah Constantin

Shadowing is…

Learning tasks by first-hand observation of daily behavior.

Basically, I followed Dr. Benton and sometimes Elizma, a physician’s assitant.

Getting Started!

Called Dr. Benton’s office…a lot! Read the HIPAA paper work and took a

test over the material. Then, I was ready to go.

Things I noticed…

EVERYTHING is done electronically! Nurses use laptops to type in vitals and

symptoms that show up on Doctor’s computer.

Immediately after seeing a patient the doctor/PA go to their office and type everything they did. Almost 50% of what they do is paperwork. templates

More things…

Many of the patients we saw were babies. Well visits Parents easily

frightened.

Common things we saw… Allergies Ear infection Exymia

What IS a PA anyway?

A P.A. is a licensed health professional under the supervision of a physician.

They provide a broad range of health care services.

P.A.s Perform physical

exams Diagnose illnesses Develop and carry

out treatment plans Suture wounds Assist in surgery Can write

prescriptions And more…

P.A. vs. MD

Malpractice insurance is lower for a P.A. P.A. doesn’t have to work as much. MDs have bigger salaries. Time

It takes a lot longer to become a doctor!

Medical Need in 3rd World Countries

9.2 Million Children (before the age of five) died in 2007

Why?

Not immunized No antibiotics No oral rehydration Malnutrition

Five Diseases

Only 5 diseases account for half of deaths Pneumonia Diarrhoea Malaria Measles AIDS

Major Causes of Child Mortality

What could have prevented these things?

Antibiotics for pneumonia A simple mix of water, salt and sugar for

diarrhea Insecticide-treated mosquito nets and

appropriate drugs for malaria Proper nutrition

Child mortality between 1990 and 2007

Organizations that help

Agape in Action Flying Doctors of America Global Health Ministries Hospitals of Hope Ministries Medical Ministry International UNICEF LOTS more!

What can we do?

Volunteer Give money to organizations that help Become a doctor/get medical training