October 8, 2020
Category: Faculty Blogs
by Dr. Valerie Rakes
February-March, 2020, the School of Health Sciences and Human Performances embarked on a medical mission trip to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. The trip was an experience provided by Volunteers Around the World (VAW). During the trip students and nursing faculty completed the following:
- Worked side by side with patients and doctors during mobile clinics: setting up and tearing down clinics in areas with no or limited access to healthcare
- Learned about common diseases and treatment courses through patient work and training from healthcare staff
- Experienced and adapted to new culture, customs and food through local housing
- Explored the beauties of the site’s geographical landscape during free days
During the week we were in Jarabacoa, the team worked six medical days doing the following:
- Orientation
- Introduction class: Learn about and common diseases in the area and courses of treatment
- Skills training: vital signs, medical Spanish
- Mobile clinics: Travel to rural communities and underserved populations in the city
- Intake: Patient history and basic information
- Triage/Vitals
- Height & weight
- Pulse & respiration rates
- Blood pressure
- Blood glucose level
- Shadowing & Assist Doctors
- Learn to diagnose and treat a variety of ailments
- Pharmacy
- Learn dosage and usage of medications
The clinics were located in the region of La Vega in Jarabacoa. The primary language was Spanish and French Creole.
