Anyone interested in developing countries?

**E-man07** · 22-02-2009, 05:57 PM

Sorry had to post this on current student forums coz u guys knw better n seem to reply much quicker!!

I am interested in developing countries. i need to knw just a few MAIN ways in which a doctor can improve healthcare in developing countries in such a way that when that doctor retires, his/her impact will still remain.

wanna please my interviewers.

Pls, if u arent busy, spare a minute to write ur thoughts

**giella** · 23-02-2009, 04:48 AM

Poverty, corruption, education and Catholic dictatorship.

**Alysha** · 26-02-2009, 03:52 AM

Thats something huge you're asking for - from just 1 doctor. For a real sustainable change, I imagine you'd have to get involved in politics, and health care policy of third world countries. I always thought, hey, working for drs without borders would do the trick. Its not a permanent contribution in the big picture, but its something.

For what its worth, anything you do in a third world / developing country for an impoverished individual - will probably leave them at least eternally grateful. Thats kindof permanent. Not big, but it'll last.

**E-man07** · 26-02-2009, 07:12 AM

fnx, Liked the final sentence.

Still thinkin bout all i've heard bout developing countries. Trying to come up with a sort of conclusion.

hey, way 2 go on ur acceptance 2 jn hopkins! wow.
I think its a really good uni coz in "house", one one of the trainee doctors was speakin 2 another trainee as woz like, "u went to jn hopkins right?" (meanin goin 2 jn hopkins shud hav been d reason 4 him gettin the job)

What undergraduate course did u do? Is it better go that way or staright into medicine as i hav applied 2 the UK?

**Alysha** · 26-02-2009, 11:36 PM

Haha... Hopkins is a good uni... but anyway, thing is...

Well, if you can afford it, the American uni experience is 100% worth it. Its an experience anyone would be all the richer for. Absolutely unmissable, undeniably. So different from anything the British universities could even begin to emulate. But once again, its all a cost benefit ratio.

My situation is a bit unique, see I applied to UK medical schools when I graduated the Swedish equivalent to College... almost 5 years ago. But back then, I didn't get in. So i took up the undergrad offer I had from Hopkins instead. I finished my first year there quite merrily - taking all sorts of interesting, and some not so interesting but mandatory courses (i.e. Modules - the US university system and degrees is a bit different from here, all part of the appeal, but basically you can study whatever you want, i'll explain later if you want, but I took classes ranging from accounting to art to chemistry and english).

Anyway, in the beginning of my second year I decided to give Medical school in the UK another shot. And when I applied... with the added academic merits of the year and a bit I had done at Hopkins, and a lot more work experience - I actually got in. So, sadly, I left Hopkins, after only a year and a half (of what is normally 4 years -so no degree) and took up Medicine here at Kings. Financially, it just made a lot more sense, and who was to say I would ever get into medical school in the US, or even in the UK as a graduate. Of course, I would have loved to stay at Hopkins, but money talks. (its about 20 k pounds - not dollars! a year, even for home students, to study there).

And anyway - its the same for doing a degree in something else first in the UK. Its great as it gives you a good background and wider world knowledge. If you do a science degree,and you're interested in research, it will def. open more doors for you. But what with the Intercalated BScs offered in England now, its not necessarily worth it. Plus, graduate entry medicine in the UK is bloody difficult to get into, and they tend to ask "Why the change of heart, why medicine now?" as if it wasn't part of the original plan. Whereas in America, given that Medicine is a graduate degree there, everyone has to have a BA/BSc even before they can apply to medical school.

But, like I said, if you can afford it, its totally worth the time and experience in America. Not so much in the UK, as you're gonna get a (at least somewhat) genuine undergrad experience as a MBBS student too.

Wow, long post, I'm going to stop blabbing now. Ask away if there's anything else!

**E-man07** · 28-02-2009, 01:47 PM

Well, i knw the US kinda has a wider range of things in general and so goin there helps bring out the best in u as u can participate or learn bout things that u never knew u wud be good at.
However, i wudnt like to live in the US (i like 2 learn there) coz i dont think it is a very cozy place to spend ur life in.
If i study in the US or the UK, i wud prob move to canada or Australia after my degree. those places make me feel warm!
What got u into studyin medicine?

**E-man07** · 28-02-2009, 01:50 PM

...and if anyone still has somethin 2 say bout developin countries pls post
fnx

**Pammy** · 28-02-2009, 02:53 PM

Like Alysha has said, working as a doctor, you can "just" improve the lives of a number of individuals. If you want to contribute to structural change, get involved in public health. One possibility as a doctor might be to help with training local doctors - but to get them to stay in the country is another matter! You could also get involved with research that has the potential to benefit many people, anything from basic research (which could lead to better drugs) to epidemiology.

**E-man07** · 01-03-2009, 10:13 AM

I think those doctors who have the passion for development will at least do somethin (while outside of the country) for their own country. For example, there normally is at least one association of doctors from a particular country but are working overseas.
I thought being like a minister of health could be another way to help.
I would like 2 work in a research team especially if its goal is to cure the main diseases in developing countries but i'm not the kind of person that would be the leader of such a team.

**tooyib** · 07-03-2009, 09:23 PM

Its a good ideal but the problem we are facing is not only medical, its a problem of administration we hav qualified personnel but we are lacking in facilities. Can you ever imaging using a phone light in the theatre? Its sometimes get dat bad in the middle of a surgery. Just yesterday, i was supposed to be in a theater but the cssd cant get sterilised equipments bob gowns ready for some terrible reasons.