08/08/2024
Me(Alyson) and my classmate, Allie are both students at UND pursing graduate degrees in healthcare. We are excited to share an incredible opportunity we are pursuing—a volunteer medical mission trip to Costa Rica. This trip is not just about gaining practical experience; it's about making a meaningful impact. During this mission, we will be involved in vital tasks such as conducting directed diagnostic questioning, taking vital signs, observing medical procedures, and assisting in physical exams. Most importantly, we will have the chance to provide essential health education and advice to underserved communities, empowering them with knowledge that can significantly improve their well-being. This experience is not only crucial for defining our career goals in healthcare but also for understanding and addressing global health disparities and inequities.
A typical day at the clinic in Costa Rica will be intake, consultation, examination, and pharmacy.
Intake: Working with a medical interpreter, students will conduct patient interviews to get a thorough patient history and understanding of the patient’s main complaint. Students will also gather the patient’s vital signs, which include, but not limited to; blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, among other facets that may be relevant to the patients’ main complaint. Group members will record all information on provided intake forms.
Consultation: Students will present this information to the physician, along with a differential diagnosis, proposed treatment plan, and recommendations. The physician will work with the students to explain the case and diagnosis more in-depth and may ask for additional information from the patient. The physician will make the official diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescribe the appropriate medications.
Examination: This room is used when the physician needs to examine the patient in private. Students may be asked to observe. The doctor will explain any findings to the students and the patient.
Pharmacy: Students will collect the prescription given by the doctor. Once the medication is ready, volunteers will explain the following information to the patient (with the help of an interpreter): types of medications, dosage amounts, and instructions for medication usage.
Your support would mean the world to us and contribute directly to causes we are deeply passionate about. Thank you for considering supporting our journey to make a difference in Costa Rica.
Me(Alyson) and my classmate, Allie are both students at UND pursing… Alyson Volker needs your support for Support Our Medical Mission to Costa Rica
