For my final year medical school elective, I spent 4 weeks with the Floating Doctors (FDs). This experience was invaluable, teaching me not only clinical skills, but also the importance of a supportive team, preventative healthcare, and work-life balance. I developed clinical skills such as conducting pre-natal ultrasounds, preparing intra-muscular antibiotic medication and administering Depot-Provera injections.
My primary goal with the FDs, was to enhance my ability to practice medicine in low-resource settings and during my time I embraced the FDs mission to reduce the burden of disease in developing communities and improve health care delivery. I felt the entire team was likeminded and shared similar values, which allowed us to work together really well.
Living on a remote island in Panama and being immersed into the culture, especially during multi-day clinics was something so unique. During multi-day clinics, you sleep in hammocks and bath in rivers with the other local people in the community.
I recommend working with the FDs to anyone who wants a life-changing and enriching experience, where you are able to learn about and understand the challenges faced First Nations people of Panama.