I know I have talked a bit about the medical training in Sri Lanka, but I have not told you how the patients navigate it.
Patients are admitted through the ED, directly from other clinics, or transferred from other hospitals. This is very similar to our system in the US. The big difference is that the ED does not really "triage". Everyone who comes to the ED is admitted. The ED only decides where they go (ICU, ward floor, surgical floor, etc). This leads to MANY admissions. At times up to 60-100 in a day. Mind boggling. There obviously aren't enough beds for these patients so sometimes they double up in the same bed. Other times they sleep on the floor or benches around the ward. Every family brings their own sheets while the same mattress covered in plastic is reused (or no mattress for the families on the floor or benches). This definitely saves the hospital lots of money on laundry costs I am sure.
The people I find truly inspirational are the mothers. They are with their children in the hospital 24/7. Many of them have other children at home or live far away but they stay with the child in the hospital the whole time, sleeping in the chairs by his/her bed. They are a valuable source of information as well, reminding the doctors about the medicines just given and holding on to important paperwork; they don't just sit there!
Similarly, the mothers of the interns and residents here keep them going. Most of the female doctors (actually all that I have met) are married to other doctors. Doctors are probably the only ones who would understand and support another doctor's lifestyle, especially in a culture where women are supposed to be the housewifes: cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children. Supporting these doctors are their mothers! Interestingly, in Sri Lankan culture, similar to Indian culture, the couple is supposed to live with the man's family, but they have learned that in old age it is usually the daughter who cares for her parents, so many of these couples actually live with the woman's family. I think the dynamics of that are interesting as most Indian men would probably not tolerate living with their in-laws but the men here don't seem to mind (at least the doctors I have spoken to do not mind). These mothers do the cooking and housework for their doctor children. They also care for the grandchildren and take them to school, though are light on the discipline like grandparents all over the world :o)
I am definitely very thankful for both of my mothers without whom I would not have gotten through medical school or residency. And of course my husband who is not a doctor but always incredibly understanding, a great cook, and a good cleaner!
Yesterday, we traveled to the city of Matara, a local town with few tourists. We traveled using the trains and buses so I am starting to feel more comfortable with them. This is important because there is large cost difference between using public transportation and anything else. It cost us $0.75 to go and come back from Matara which is a 3hour round trip journey. Definitely can't complain about that!
Here are some pictures from the trip:
Today is Poya Day (full moon Buddhist celebration) so I have the day off. We plan to go join the celebrations this evening. I will tell you more about them tomorrow!
Patients are admitted through the ED, directly from other clinics, or transferred from other hospitals. This is very similar to our system in the US. The big difference is that the ED does not really "triage". Everyone who comes to the ED is admitted. The ED only decides where they go (ICU, ward floor, surgical floor, etc). This leads to MANY admissions. At times up to 60-100 in a day. Mind boggling. There obviously aren't enough beds for these patients so sometimes they double up in the same bed. Other times they sleep on the floor or benches around the ward. Every family brings their own sheets while the same mattress covered in plastic is reused (or no mattress for the families on the floor or benches). This definitely saves the hospital lots of money on laundry costs I am sure.
The people I find truly inspirational are the mothers. They are with their children in the hospital 24/7. Many of them have other children at home or live far away but they stay with the child in the hospital the whole time, sleeping in the chairs by his/her bed. They are a valuable source of information as well, reminding the doctors about the medicines just given and holding on to important paperwork; they don't just sit there!
Similarly, the mothers of the interns and residents here keep them going. Most of the female doctors (actually all that I have met) are married to other doctors. Doctors are probably the only ones who would understand and support another doctor's lifestyle, especially in a culture where women are supposed to be the housewifes: cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children. Supporting these doctors are their mothers! Interestingly, in Sri Lankan culture, similar to Indian culture, the couple is supposed to live with the man's family, but they have learned that in old age it is usually the daughter who cares for her parents, so many of these couples actually live with the woman's family. I think the dynamics of that are interesting as most Indian men would probably not tolerate living with their in-laws but the men here don't seem to mind (at least the doctors I have spoken to do not mind). These mothers do the cooking and housework for their doctor children. They also care for the grandchildren and take them to school, though are light on the discipline like grandparents all over the world :o)
I am definitely very thankful for both of my mothers without whom I would not have gotten through medical school or residency. And of course my husband who is not a doctor but always incredibly understanding, a great cook, and a good cleaner!
Yesterday, we traveled to the city of Matara, a local town with few tourists. We traveled using the trains and buses so I am starting to feel more comfortable with them. This is important because there is large cost difference between using public transportation and anything else. It cost us $0.75 to go and come back from Matara which is a 3hour round trip journey. Definitely can't complain about that!
Here are some pictures from the trip:
Sign when we arrived from the train!
Views from the streets of Matara. It is said to be smaller than Galle, but I think it looks bigger.
Old-timey fans in a place we went to eat by the Matara fort. The place had interesting decorations which did not quite make up for the crazy slow service.
A Buddhist temple on an island we walked to! Note this couple by the water. There were many like them all around the shore and the city. It seems Matara is the city for lovers ;o)
The temple! Very pretty outside and inside.
At the top of the temple was this gorgeous view all around. There was also a little moat all around with fishies. Many school children were there too. Unfortunately, my internet is too slow to post more pictures. Maybe when I get back home I can post more.
In honor of mothers, I saw my mother-in-laws name at one of the stores. Sorry the picture is side ways because we were leaving on the bus!
Today is Poya Day (full moon Buddhist celebration) so I have the day off. We plan to go join the celebrations this evening. I will tell you more about them tomorrow!
I'm enjoying reading your posts :) keep it up!!
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