Training Day: The First Steps...Let the 7G Journey Begin!

As with every journey, it begins with one step. M.E.M.O. 7G mission trip is no different. The first step means being prepared for what is ahead. In order to prepare ourselves for the mission trip, we, the 7G goers, had learn the skills of what it takes to provide the preliminary care to the patients who we will be serving. We learned from the best of the best: Dr. Vu about patient physical questions, Dr. Phung on taking blood pressure, Dr. Timothy Bui on dentistry, Dr. James Tran on EKG, and technician Daisy on Ultrasound.

Dr. Vu explains about how to the process of asking patients about their chief complaint before referral to the doctors. 

Technician Daisy teaches the students about using the Ultrasound machine and its applications. 

Dr. Timothy Bui demonstrates the new dental kit, as Katy sits comfortably.

As all of the students broke off into their teams, each team were able to learn the necessary skills for the mission's medical clinics. Even though students are assigned roles during the actual clinic, it is necessary for students to adapt and be trained in all tasks, as they will learn that clinic days in rural Vietnam mean much more.

Dean focuses intensely on the Ultrasound, looking for any gallstones.

There will be four clinic days during the trip itself, and during each clinic day, each will be held in a rural area, where healthcare is scarce. Once there is word that there is a free health clinic, word spreads fast. In the past mission trips, we have had more than 500 patients EACH clinic day. Even though this year we will be working with the local pharmacy, medical, and dental students, it will still be a challenge to handle so many patients. People often line up early in the morning before we even get there; and even once we get there, there is a long line waiting for the free health clinic. People would have to wait as much as 3-5 hours before they see a doctor. 

Kevin learn firsthand about how to use the EKG (as shown on the diagram).

So, where do the student volunteers come in? For students, even though they may only have an undergraduate education so far, they are able to help the doctors make their job easier. On the day of clinic, students will be assigned to a task: patient history intake, triage, dental, pharmacy, crowd control, and EKG/Ultrasound. However, their role may change based on the need. As a result, the purpose of training day is to help the student volunteers understand the tasks that they will be facing. Each role is crucial and necessary in order for the clinics to run smoothly. Even though this was a one day training, the student volunteers will also be retrained more times before each clinic, rotating among doctors as we have during this day.

Team Hawkeye learn tries to find the "bump" on their sternum.

Under the guidance of Dr. Phung, Phoebe takes the blood pressure for Ben with Lindy focusing on the technical aspect of this skill.

In addition to the technical aspects behind training day, we have also discussed about our expectations for our student volunteers, going over code of conduct, dress code, their responsibilities during this trip, and necessities when it comes to this trip itself. Students must keep in mind that this is a professional trip, not a vacation.

The student volunteers still have a lot to learn before they are ready to enter the medical clinics. However, we are more than confident that they will live up to the challenge of providing health care for the underprivileged in Vietnam. Taking one step forward means one step closer to reaching our destination on this journey.

Written by Johnson.