International Anesthesiology Experience
We are fortunate that the department continues to fully support our participation in these trips as they provide a tremendous learning opportunity and experience for our residents. In the past two years, we have participated in volunteer missions to Haiti, Vietnam, Peru, Ecuador, and India. Previous sites have included Nepal, Mali, Bolivia, Brazil, The Philippines, Kosovo, Bangladesh, Tanzania, China, and Laos.
Michael L. Beach, MD, PhD
Professor of Anesthesiology and of Community and Family Medicine
Director
Many of the trips in 2009 and 2010 were through ReSurge, formerly known as Interplast, a non-profit organization that provides plastic surgery services in developing countries. A typical trip involves approximately 12 national and/or international team members - anesthesiologists, surgeons, and nurses - most of whom meet for the first time at the airport. Generally, one DHMC faculty anesthesiologist accompanies our resident, and is responsible for supervision; however, the resident functions as an integral member of the team. Except for oxygen, the team carries almost all necessary medical supplies with them.
Anesthesiology residents also have the opportunity to participate with other volunteer organizations. The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth has an ongoing partnership with Kosovo’s Ministry of Health, the National Hospital of Pediatrics in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Partners in Health in Haiti. In the past, we have also sent a team to Laos through the York Medical Foundation.
The international volunteer experience is valuable for our residents. On their trips, they learn to deliver safe care in an environment that may not be optimal and where advanced airway equipment and invasive monitoring may not be available. Language barriers, cultural differences, and available medical care may limit the pre-operative assessment. Often there isn’t an intensive care unit to handle complications. In this setting, residents must demonstrate ingenuity and flexibility. We are pleased that they rise to and overcome these and other challenges and that many of our residents continue to volunteer internationally post-graduation.
