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| The General Hospital in San Miguel |
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| 35 beds, 100 ER visits/day, 20 Amburances / day |
HOSPITAL & CLINIC ORIENTATION
We
know you are going to enjoy your experience with us here in San Miguel. Here are some things you should keep in mind that
will make your learning experience at the hospital and/or clinic more rewarding. You
will be appropriately assigned to your clinical rotation depending on your level of Spanish and availability at these locations.
We are guests of the Health Ministry and the General Hospital. Cultural sensitivity
is very important and rotators must recognize that the medical system and availability of resources is strikingly
different from what we are accustomed in the US. A brief explanation of what to expect will help you adjust to this new environment.
HOSPITAL STAFF
Dr. Vidargas is the Medical Director of the Hospital General.
If you have questions or problems during your rotation, he is very gracious and willing to help you in any way. Laurita is
his assistant, and also very accommodating. During your hospital walk-through
tour, you will be introduced to other staff members. Please don’t hesitate
to introduce yourself to anyone you don’t meet initially; the relationships you cultivate can be mutually rewarding.
| The Clinic sees 175 patients per day |
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CLINIC
ORIENTATION
The majority of the Hospital orientation information also relates
to the Clínica de la Salubridad, in terms of scheduling, standard patient care, protective equipment and scrubs. Dr. Mejía is the Director of the clinic, and any schedule changes should be addressed with her directly. As with the hospital, you will most likely be assigned to a particular doctor or nurse.
You may spend time going out on the “brigadas,” the mobile medical units that provide health care to rural towns. No shorts, please, tempting as it may be. Professional
attire is a strong culture norm that represents respect. The brigadas offer a
unique insight into true Mexican culture.
CRUZ ROJA
You may also have an opportunity to do shifts with the Cruz Roja
(Red Cross). This is the primary ambulance service and first-responder to emergencies. The ambulances are staffed by EMTs,
and they are quite enthusiastic. You will be impressed by their skill and pride in their work. We recommend that rotators
who do shifts with Cruz Roja be comfortable conversing in Spanish on a basic level, as there is no “backup” from
English speakers in this setting. You will be working in the field and the EMTs do not speak English. Please check with Lilia
when you are making your schedule, and she will make arrangements with the director of Cruz Roja directly. Please remember
to wear appropriate, protective clothing, such as field pants or khakis when working with the Cruz Roja
| Special rural sight seeing tours ar arranged! |
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| This is one of the mobile rural health units (Brigadas) |
SCHEDULING
We will provide you with an initial calendar of your scheduled
shifts. This is turned in to Dr. Vidargas a week in advance; please be sure to inform your assigned doctor and Dr. Vidargas
if there will be any changes to the schedule. Due to CME, medical school, residency
program requirements, and Health Ministry expectations, you are expected to do 5 hour shifts, Monday through Friday. No more
than two rotators should be in the same area of the hospital at one time. The times are somewhat flexible; you can work with
Lilia and your fellow rotators to schedule your Spanish lessons and shifts.
STANDARD OF CARE
The standard of care is very different in a setting where medications,
diagnostic equipment and durable medical equipment are not readily available. You may find yourself frustrated at how slowly
or ineffective the care seems. Please be patient and look for opportunities to be helpful. The physicians here are gracious
to allow us to work with them, so please be courteous and respectful. Standards of care are different in this setting for
a variety of cultural and economic reasons. Unlike the US, the atmosphere is
not one of “medico-legal” defensive medicine.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Gloves are not often available, and you will find that many nurses
and physicians do not use them on a regular basis. We suggest that you bring some with you, and ask where the gloves are kept,
keeping some in your pocket, should you need them. Eye protection is not available, so please bring your own for suturing,
etc. We do not expect you to protect yourself any less than you would in your own work setting, we simply ask that you be
as tactful as possible.
Funds
are not readily available for providing large quantities of PPE and education about what we refer to as “standard universal
precautions” in the U.S. For example, you
may see workers wearing masks that only cover their mouths. If you are in a situation where you need to wear a mask, wear
it correctly. Use your judgment; if you see an opportunity for teaching, please take it, but be considerate. We want this
to be a pleasant, open, working environment.
Please bring your own scrubs
and change into them at the hospital. There is a resident’s call room where you can change your clothes. Please remember
to bring your white coat. In the winter, especially, you may wish to have it. If you choose to do a Cruz Roja shift, wear
field pants or khaki if you have them, with a scrub top. You may wear jeans if you don’t have another option. Remember
to bring your stethoscope as well.
If
you have any questions, please feel free to ask. You will find that the medical professionals here in Mexico are gracious,
skilled and knowledgeable. Please give them the opportunity to share with you. You will have a wonderful time, and will find
no better way to practice your medical Spanish! Have fun!
Please
reach us at the following contact sites:
PACE-MEDSPANISH
CENTER
Mesone de San Jose
MESONES 38-15
CENTRO, SAN
MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
GUANAJUATO
PACE-MEDSPANISH CENTER Local (011 52) 415 152 75 32 Message Phone (and Fax) 800 770 6853
Mail forwarding address: PMB 1051
220 N. Zapata Hwy #11
Laredo, TX. 78043
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