During the Guatemala Inpatient Rotation at Hospital Nacional Pedro de Bethancourt in Antigua, I plan to enhance my clinical skills and contribute to local healthcare. I will focus on diagnosing and managing tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue, and yellow fever, and mastering essential procedures like lumbar punctures and intubations without advanced technology. This will improve my adaptability and clinical judgment in resource-limited settings.
I aim to immerse myself in the local culture and language to reach Spanish proficiency, enabling effective communication with patients and healthcare professionals. Understanding cultural nuances is crucial for building trust and providing compassionate care.
I will establish professional relationships with local healthcare workers for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Engaging in joint clinical and public health initiatives will lead to sustainable health improvements.
I will lead a health screening campaign to identify conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and parasitic infections. By collaborating with local providers, we will set up a screening hub for immediate care and community education. Documenting the campaign and leaving a guide for local staff will ensure its sustainability.
I will conduct Basic Life Support (BLS) training sessions for local health workers and community members, equipping them with lifesaving skills.
These initiatives will enhance local healthcare quality by providing better clinical care, fostering cultural competence, and empowering the community with essential health knowledge and skills.
The primary beneficiaries of my project will be the residents of Antigua, Guatemala, particularly the patients at Hospital Nacional Pedro de Bethancourt. This population is often underserved and faces significant healthcare challenges, including limited access to medical resources and a high prevalence of tropical diseases. By focusing on this community, we can address some of the most pressing health issues they face and make a meaningful impact on their overall health and well-being.
Local healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, and public health officials, will also benefit from this project. Through collaborative efforts, knowledge exchange, and training sessions, these professionals will gain new skills and insights that will enhance their ability to provide quality care in a resource-limited setting. The BLS training sessions, for instance, will equip them with essential lifesaving skills, improving their emergency response capability.
Additionally, the broader community will benefit from health education initiatives. By leading a health screening campaign and conducting educational workshops, we will raise awareness about the importance of regular health screenings and preventive measures. This will empower community members with the knowledge and tools needed to take charge of their health and prevent common yet often overlooked conditions.
Focusing on this population is crucial because they represent a high-need, high-impact group where even modest improvements can lead to significant health outcomes. The challenges they face require tailored interventions that address both medical and social determinants of health. By engaging with this community, we can create sustainable improvements that will continue to benefit them long after the project concludes.
The expected impact of my project includes enhanced healthcare delivery, improved health outcomes, and increased health literacy in Antigua. By improving my skills in diagnosing and managing tropical diseases and essential procedures, I will help raise the quality of care at Hospital Nacional Pedro de Bethancourt, leading to better patient outcomes.
The health screening campaign will identify individuals with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and parasitic infections, allowing for timely intervention. Educating the community about the importance of regular health screenings will encourage a proactive approach to health.
BLS training sessions will improve the emergency response capability of local health workers and community members, equipping them with lifesaving skills that can make a significant difference in emergencies.
Upon my return, I will apply the skills and knowledge gained to enhance my clinical competence and cultural sensitivity. Sharing my experiences with colleagues will contribute to a broader understanding of global health challenges. I also plan to maintain professional relationships with local healthcare workers, facilitating continuous knowledge exchange and support for sustainable health improvements in Antigua. This rotation will have a lasting impact on both the local community and my future medical practice.
During my time in Guatemala, I was deeply impacted by the resilience and humanity of the people I encountered. Patients and their families faced immense challenges, often made more difficult by limited resources and systemic barriers. One particularly emotional case involved a young child with ascariasis who arrived too late for effective treatment. Despite our best efforts, we lost him, and I worked closely with the social worker to help guide the family through the heartbreaking process of registering his death, as he had not been officially recognized by the government. Witnessing their grief and the stark inequities in healthcare access was a profound and humbling experience that will stay with me forever.
The healthcare team’s dedication and adaptability were truly inspiring. In the ICU, I witnessed how they managed complex cases with creativity and resourcefulness, despite the constraints they faced. At the milk bank, I learned how they support mothers and newborns with limited supplies but unwavering commitment. Working with the IVEGEM representative on the newborn screening program gave me insight into the challenges of operating with fewer resources while still striving to provide meaningful care. Collaborating with these teams allowed me to share knowledge and perspectives, but more importantly, it opened my eyes to the realities of global health and the importance of humility and partnership in such settings.
This experience also gave me a new appreciation for the critical role social workers play in healthcare. In addition to helping families navigate logistical challenges, such as the registration process, they provide emotional support and connect patients to essential resources. Their work is a vital bridge between medical care and social determinants of health, and observing this reinforced my belief in the need for holistic approaches to patient care.
My time in Guatemala was as much a lesson in humanity as it was in medicine. It was a reminder of how inequities in access to care can have devastating consequences and of the incredible strength and resilience of those who strive to overcome them. The experiences and relationships I formed during this trip will shape not only my approach to medicine but also my commitment to advocating for equitable healthcare systems everywhere.
