A recent press report by Hayley Mick of Canada’s GlobeandMail.Com, shows an interesting model for medical education that could be expanded through organizing medical volunteers or mounting a social entrepreneurial effort.
The report describes the activities of one doctor, Allan Okrainec, who has established a Tuesday routine wherein he teaches — in this case — several Botswana-based surgeons the basics of a minimally invasive surgical technique that is increasingly common in Western nations due to its health benefits – but rarely used in Africa. The only equipment required in both countries is a laptop, a television screen and a web cam.The cost is really nothing except, of course, for the time of those involved. For many areas of the world, translation services would also be required as well.
What is interesting is that the effort of one individual combined with this technology can make a significant difference in the quality of care for those living in remote or under served areas of the world. And it is applicable to many of the health care disciplines. What if we had several hundred professionals across the country volunteering to spend an hour or two a week or month teaching using methods appropriate to the technology, the applicable skills involved and the accreditation requirements of the various professional organizations? How about those who may be retired from work but not from life taking this up as a new humanitarian vocation?
The possibilities start to grow exponentially the minute you start thinking about these opportunities.
