Another day in clinic at La Esperanza.
We each worked with our great residents and medical students in the clinic. This is really a great way to start working in a new country as we are learning a lot about what is available and what is needed from true experts. And sometimes when you just can't remember the tests for knee pain it's great to have another mind in the room 😂
We've had a couple of interesting patients the last few days. Sugars in the 400s sin sintomas, unstable angina, syncope in the exam rooms... we are definitely being challenged medically and learning a lot about making our own decisions and making diagnoses without using all of the thousands of tests that are usually at our fingertips. Though there is a lab across the street, access is definitely an issue for some of our patients.
Today is also the international women's day. The clinic had a little celebration compete with pastel and chicharonnes. The centros de Salud get a lot of funding for and put a huge emphasis on women's health. Women are able to get free birth control, prenatal checkups, and acetic acid cervical evaluations (IVAA). Beth and I spent most of the afternoon doing well woman exams and IVAA. Great way to spend Women's Day.