Namaste“A trip onward”

Ali Pistora

Dr. David W. Robinson (1914-2003)

University of Kansas Medical Center Positions• Head of Plastic Surgery 1948• Professor of Surgery and Oncology 1955-1960• Lecturer, History of Medicine 1967• Director of Gene and Barbara Burnett Burn Center 1973• Vice Chancellor of Clinical Affairs and Chief of Staff 1974-1979• Honorary Medical Alumnus 1984• University Distinguished Professor Emeritus 1985• Campus Building Title

Christian Medical College & Hospital

• July 27th – September 2nd, 2014• Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

Hospital

College

Personal Goals

• Experience the Indian culture– Diversity– Adapt to a new lifestyle– Learn life and professional values

Clinical Goals

• Experience various clinical settings• See different diagnoses• Learn new physical therapy techniques

India Background Information

• 780 languages spoken

• Freed from British rule in 1947

• India (2013) 1.25 billion people– Vellore (2011) 185,895 people

• Major religious communities– Hindus 80% – Muslims 13%– Christians 2%– Sikhs– Buddhists– Jains

India-specific health issues

• High maternal and infant mortality rates• High rates of tuberculosis and malaria• Language barriers• Limited water supply

India-specific health issues learned in India

• Lack of good and affordable health care• Transportation limitations to medical facility• Rising prevalence of diabetes and cancer• More medical attention sought by family

when patient is male vs female• Hemophilia is physical therapy concern• Environment not handicap accessible

Suggestions to Health Issues

• Conclusion• High population increase communicable diseases• Injuries due to motor vehicle accidents and falls• Lack of preventive medicine

• Suggestions• Increase public sanitation• Increase public health

– Sidewalks, ramps, etc.

• More community health and development programs– Provide free/affordable care– Reaching people whom have no means of transportation

Profound Clinical Experiences

• Several patients seen at one time

• Spinal Cord Injury victims relearn to walk– If in U.S.A., patient likely wheelchair bound

• High rates of motor vehicle accidents and falls– Traumatic Brain Injuries– Spinal Cord Injuries

Profound Cultural Experiences

• Men sport mustaches• Head nod horizontally• Live to work• Eat with hands• No toilet paper• Drink bottled water• Whitening lotions• Cheer on cricket!

My Professional Change

• Desire to treat and explore internationally

• Seek interactions with diverse people/cultures

• Welcome foreigners• Decrease confusion• Lessen uncertainty of cultural norms

India’s Diversity

Colors

Thank You

• Robinson-Mani Scholarship• Dr. Mani & Rebekah Mani• KUMC Office of International Programs• Dr. Yvonne Colgrove• Stephanie Funk• CMC Physiotherapy Department• CMC Advisors• CMC Colleagues