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Penn State Hershey Ghana team update, Feb. 11

Dr. Mike Malone

Dr. Mike Malone gives a presentation in Ghana.

Editor’s note:  Penn State Hershey clinical participants (senior medical students, residents, nurse practitioner students and faculty) are currently in rural Ghana to support and provide training for Ghanaian clinicians at the Eastern Regional Hospital. The team is sending periodic updates while there.

It has been a very exciting week at Regional Hospital Koforidua! We have seen lots of tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, typhoid fever and even a possible Schistosomiasis diagnosis, however, we are still awaiting confirmation. At the same time we have also seen great examples of cases that are more commonly seen in Hershey, PA including pneumonia, CHF, gastroenteritis, pelvic pain and motor vehicle accidents. Each patient presents with great learning opportunities, exam findings and lessons in practicing resourceful medical care.

On the wards, both Hershey residents and Koforidua house officers have been excellent teachers and role models as we enhance our clinical skills and further our differential diagnoses. Today we enjoyed two special presentations. The first was by Dr. Michael Malone who presented on Skin Conditions in Pregnancy. It was filled with great clinical pearls and treatment options for a wide variety of benign and pathologic rashes. This evening Dr. Kate Thompson presented on Nutritional Deficiencies and Dehydration. This was particularly relevant given that two children currently on the pediatric ward are diagnosed with Kwashiorkor.

We are only two weeks in, but we have certainly learned a great deal already and are very thankful for this opportunity. We are much looking forward to the next two weeks and the experiences ahead. Stay tuned as we join the surgery team next week.

Written by Reena Thomas, Elizabeth Wallace, Corinne Landis, and Kate Belser. 

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