Today I finish my time in the community, and it is a bit of a shame. I've found that it's been really useful. I am now getting to grips with the peculiar symptoms that everybody seems to have, such as waist pains (low back pain), general body aches (seems to accompany any fever and is usually treated with anti malarials). Another symptom that has been particularly problematic is numbness. It does not mean that they have altered sensation, but could mean anything from cramp pain to paraesthesia. Trying to distinguish between these is particularly frustrating as the interpreter often just translates it as numbness despite persistent questioning. Then when you ask them what that means they look at you as if you're stupid and make the somewhat ubiquitous symbol for numbness, grabbing a calf and making an anguished face.
As I have come to understand these symptoms however I have become increasingly frustrated by the very limited range of drugs on offer. Many conditions that are quite common simply can not be treated. Despite this it has been great to feel that for the first time I am actually treating patients and hopefully more often than not helping them to get better. On 3 of the days this week the medical assistant in charge of the clinic has disappeared leaving me to see all the patients. It is really great to feel that if I wasn't here that they wouldn't be seen. Although on the other hand it terrifies me that no one else will see them and correct any of my mistakes...
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