A Possible List of Activities for Some Volunteers

Weekly rounds with Dr. Meade at various units including a hospice, Day Care,
malnutrition unit and orphanage.

Examining patients and forming a differential diagnosis and problem list.

Discussing patient care plans with Clinical Officer and Dr. Meade, as well as
involving the entire health care team (nursing, nutrition, physical therapy,
etc.)

Performing simple procedures such as IV line placement (both children and
adults) and NG tube placement.

Developing skills as a practitioner for treating terminally ill and severely
ill adults and children.

Developing skills with children aged 2 to 12 who are from resource poor setting
and often ill because of lack of care, poor hygiene and poor nutrition.

Liaise with other volunteers and health care professionals locally to better
understand the complexities of working in a resource poor setting.

Understanding the interplay between the three biggest health problems in our
setting: malnutrition, HIV/AIDS and TB (During the rainy season malaria is also
included in this list.)

Working directly with patients (adults and children) with HIV/AIDS and TB
co-infection.

Recognizing and treating tropical diseases not seen in the Western setting in
both children and adults.

Developing appropriate attitude and emotional response to working with
critically ill patients in a resource poor setting.

Understanding the basics of palliative medicine in a resource poor setting.

Developing skills such as lumbar puncture and thorocentesis under supervision.

Participating in administration for ARV’s to children and the complications
that this involves (i.e., compliance, poor care at home.)

Developing skills in working in a foreign environment without the usual back up
support of professional colleagues and consultants, save Dr. Meade.

Developing skills in living outside of one’s country of origin, including
cultural/social assimilation and acceptance.

Documenting activities and experiences for presentations.