TrAuMa In AfRiCa!

*ACE · 15-07-2005, 01:10 PM

Who watched that cool programme last night on BBC1 'Trauma in Africa'?

What a more realistic ER/Holby city/Casualty experience or what. It really portrayed a good insight into the realism of emergency medicine.

Has anyone been to South Africa or infact any African country for their elective? What was it like. Was it a phenomenal experience?

Please let me know!!

__________________________

Clinicals in Sept 2005...BRING IT ON?

**Seanpaul** · 07-08-2005, 04:46 PM

Hi,

I watched that programme; it was very interesting. I would say it was the cold face of trauma medicine in South Africa. I was amazed that the senior physician was only 26 years old - Dr. Liam Brannigan. - an Irish name, for a South African doctor, I only say this as I am Irish too.

I am hoping to become a trauma fellow, and work in a trauma centre, either in the UK or abroad. I may even join the army to gain some intensive specialist training.

The UK trauma programme is really excellent and motivates me a great deal.

Seanpaul

**Damianhymsstudent** · 07-08-2005, 06:00 PM

Im a 3rd year thinking about trauma as an elective , any ideas or advice on where to start or look to organise this ?

**Renal** · 07-08-2005, 06:06 PM

Here's a start; http://www.trauma.org/resources/elec...electives.html

**Damianhymsstudent** · 07-08-2005, 08:29 PM

Many thanks , have you done a trauma elective?

**joyabbott** · 07-08-2005, 10:00 PM

I'm doing trauma retrievals in Adelaide next March

**Damianhymsstudent** · 07-08-2005, 10:23 PM

as in australia ? im curious how much planning does it take , when did you start ?

**saintgermain** · 15-08-2005, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Seanpaul

I was amazed that the senior physician was only 26 years old - Dr. Liam Brannigan

Don't be too surprised. I'm in central Africa now.

This district of almost two million people has only one qualified doctor. Apparently there is also a surgeon - a retired Brit who, at 75 years of age, comes out of retirement every now and then to perform urgent operations.

At my local clinic, the senior 'doctor' has never been to university and babies are delivered by the cleaner. There is one nurse (whose uniform is a lab coat and wellington boots). There are only two beds.

**cicely1974** · 15-08-2005, 06:27 PM

Whereabouts in central Africa?

I'm interested in working in Africa (especially S Africa, where my partner is from) after I qualify, but want to be able to come back to the UK and have a career here. I'd be interested to hear about what you're doing - what stage were you at when you went out there? Or is it an elective? How long are you planning to be out there? Is this what you want to do long term or are you planning to come back to the UK?

Sorry for the barrage of questions but I'm just a bit unclear about when it's possible to do stuff like that and how carefully it has to be planned in terms of the overall career (I'm only just starting medicine this Sept on the GEM course at Swansea).

**saintgermain** · 16-08-2005, 12:37 PM

Oh I'm not a medic yet either - applying for 2006 GEM entry. My university has sponsored me to spend the summer in Malawi where I'm investigating HIV transmission. There are quite a few UK medical students floating around Malawi though so it can't be all that difficult to organise.

I also understand that a lot of UK doctors head out to Africa - either for charity work or experience. Since there are so few doctors in the region, they take on a lot of responsibility and can often 'overstep' what they would be qualified to do back home.

Sorry I can't advise you on electives and medical careers. Hopefully one of the medics here can take over..!