Training
Photo © Basil Rolandsen (bouvetmedia.com)An ongoing process of learning together is essential in maintaining a high quality standard of care for the multitudes of sick patients seeking relief at the clinic. Bairo Pite Clinic has for this reason developed into a training centre, targeting both our staff and local nursing students (through a national programme), as well as a wide group of interested volunteers and visitors.
Our staff as well as volunteers receive both formal teaching sessions and practical on-the-job training. The Sunday morning in-patient rounds have developed into “teaching rounds”, which have become a hallmark for anyone with a health interest, visiting or working in East Timor. These sessions are widely attended by every imaginable variety of professionals and interested others.
Photo © Basil Rolandsen (bouvetmedia.com)Academics from every corner of the globe seek experience at the clinic. The majority are medical students, nurses and doctors, working as volunteers in order to learn more about tropical diseases and developing world health care. It is always a steep learning curve, and contributes to the well being of Timorese as well as addressing the global nature of the common pathology challenging the dedicated staff of the clinic.
Training will remain an important part of the clinic’s activities in the future. We aim to develop a focused training centre as a part of the new clinic we are planning. Village health care workers will have priority, in addition to upgrading the skills of our staff. We will however continue to receive first world health workers and others, as we realise the importance of developing understanding in developed nations about the conditions people live under in this part of the world.