Welcome back to the blog glad to have you back. This week we started our need findings boot camp with Professor Casey Howard. In this needs-finding boot camp, the cohort was split into several groups, with each group, over three days, being sent to a different clinical environment to observe and find any unmet needs for both providers and patients. I was a part of group 4, and we were sent to the National Hospital of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Clinica Biblica, and UCR Dentistry. Each location provided new insights into different aspects of the healthcare system in Costa Rica and offered valuable clinical observation experience.
In the National Hospital Of Geriatrics and Gerontology, my group interacted with the public health sector in Costa Rica. During my time in the hospital, I was able to observe many departments of the hospital, including the physical therapy room, their imaging wing, which included X-rays and ct scanners, the endoscopy department, and the general patient wing. In the general patient wing, we witnessed some procedures, such as a catheter removal and the use of a lift to move elderly patients, which both provided some helpful information.
In the Clinica Biblica, my group was able to interact with the private health sector. In contrast, with the National Hospital of Geriatrics, Clinica Biblica had a smaller influx of patients, had more equipment available, and had newer equipment. Both hospitals performed their functions exceptionally well, but some differences were apparent. In Clinica Biblica, I observed both the ER and OR. Observing the OR was the most incredible experience out of the needs-finding experience. In the OR, I was able to attend a C-section. It was the first time I had ever watched a baby be delivered, and it amazed me how calm the doctors were during the whole procedure, especially since they were delivering a new life. I know I would have been scared out of my mind and worried about everything that could go wrong, but the doctors there were as cool as the other side of the pillow.
UCR dentistry was terrific to me; their application of technology to improve efficiency and patient outcomes was highly noteworthy. This could be seen in their materials lab, where they applied 3D printing to create crowns and other dental applications with different biocompatible resins. UCR also had an imaging system that could scan a patient’s mouth, create a 3D model, and have it sent to an in-house lab where they could mill or hand mold dentures and other dental needs. While UCR was highly advanced, it also had a limited supply of equipment which could bottleneck the training of students.
Thanks for reading this blog, and I will catch you on the next one.