Pediatric Clinic

This morning Kerry and I met Galina, a retired doctor who specialized in TB. She gave us a tour of one of the children's clinic where she used to work.



There were general Pediatricians, and specialist in ear, eyes, lungs, heart, kidney, bone and possibly of others. Kerry was our interpreter and between the two of us we did ok. I helped with some of the medical terms and she took care of the rest. They had x-ray, ultrasound, EKG, a surgical room and a laboratory. Also physical, light, wax, magnetic and massage therapy rooms. Other rooms were for checking sleep apnea, immunization center and well baby checks. Some of immunization they give are polio, flu, and TB, The general Pediatrician's would see the patients at the clinic and then make house calls. The clinic runs from 8 am to 7 pm. It was a walk in type of clinic. No appointment and you waited your turn. From our observation there were no men working. However we did not see everyone. They also had a area that you could come for the day and receive treatment and then go home at night. A lot of the medications are given by injection.

Afterwards we visit about the type of training they have here. For nursing there are three levels. The first one sounded like our LPN's with vocational training which took three years. The second one was more like our RN's which took one more year and was able to do more nursing. The last one is similar to our Nurse Practicer or Physician Assistant and took 5 years. This person could provide care in villages where there was not a doctor if the problem was not serious. All levels have a test to pass.

The physician goes for 6 years and has to decide before beginning if they want to work with children or adults. After the 4th year, they need to decided if they want to specialize in something.  The 6 years they spend working with a doctor somewhere. After that they get a diploma. Then they spend one more year working as a doctor but under the supervision of another doctor.  After that year, they take the medical exam and get a license. Every five years they have  to renew their license.  Also during those five years, they have to take some type of continuing education courses.

At this point they can continue with their education giving them three different titles.  The first title they can receive is "Second Level" by receiving some special training in some area. After they have this they can get the next title which is called "First Level" and this is done by writing a research paper and defending it before a committee.  Then after this they can go on to get the next title called "Higher Level."  I'm not sure what was needed to get to this title. After this there is one more rare title that some receive. She wasn't sure how to translate it but something like "Highly Respect."

Came home and had lunch and then went shopping for few things. I started packing but Kerry finished due to the fact that everything needed to get in the suitcase. Home tomorrow.