Four days of clinic in the morning and in the afternoon in Diriomo Nicaragua. One day of teaching at a nursing school. One night where we will host an event for school children such as a prom for special needs children, etc. Small groups of 3-4 medical professionals will travel to see more complex patients in their homes.
We will provide medical assessment and treatments to the underserved community in Diriomo Nicaragua. This trip is important in that it is an opportunity to provide medical care in a region where access to medical care and resources is scarce. There is a very high unemployment rate in Nicaragua and public healthcare is largely underfunded. The goal is to provide assessment, care planning and interventions using the latest and best evidence based practice and care to folks to in the community and to those with complex medical conditions while fostering relationships with the community.
My hope is that the residents that we serve can have positive health outcomes, ultimately improving the lives of those that we are fortunate enough to treat, even if just acutely with the hopes of lasting long-term good health and wellness with good teaching and making resources more available. I hope that the work done with nursing students will be an encouragement and make a lasting, long-term impact in access to good, quality care in the community as a whole. I am confident that my experience serving in the community will make a lasting impact on my practice at home from an evidence-based care perspective but also from a community health perspective and the opportunity to learn from other cultures. This will certainly impact how I interact with my patients, with greater cultural understanding and awareness, when working in the Emergency Department at home.
The folks that we encountered and served are amazing people that I trust we made an impact on their lives and their community, but I am confident that the most impacted were ourselves as we witness men and women that have resolve, are hard working and endure with character and faith. These friends are hospitable and kind despite the hardships they face. I am forever grateful for the chance to meet those that I was able to and I hope that our team and time in Nicaragua was one that will continue into the future.
