Yesterday we visted a clinic in Panama City. Like many of the clinincs here in Panama there are several specilities in the same building. The place was definantly crowded to the point of people waiting outside in the heat with newborn babies and every seat in the waiting area being filled. Some of my classmates were able to talk to a few the the waiting patients to get the opinion of the clinic. All of them were very happy with the care and often described it as "beyond great". The only complaint we heard was of the overcrowding and the wait times. In the US we often complain of of long wait times with only 6-7 people being ahead of us with an appointment. Imagine 20-30 people if not more being ahead of you with only a day as an appointment time.
Today (July 7) we went to visit a mental health institute. The care of the mentally ill is both similar and different than what I am use to in the US. The setup of the long term care facilities enables the nurse full view of the patients at all times releasing them of the "responsibility" of one to one care. Honestly I can see how both form (US custom vs. Panama custom) can be beneficial. I have come to realize that although a lot of the health care practices here are different than in the US, they work for the people here. Dr. Mallard pointed out today that the difference between us does not make one of us better than the other, but I think it presents a learning opportunity.
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