After much anticipation, the medical portion of the Barefoot Doctors instruction began two days ago. Apart from Dr. Bjorn Nilson who will be directing the project for the remaining five weeks, the first two weeks will be filled with teaching from Dr. Susan Parker, public health nurse Lynda Audia, and Dr. Jove Graham. All three have taught at the Barefoot Doctors course in the past and are excited to get to know the new students.
From an instructors perspective, it is interesting to see how the students begin to come to terms with medical concepts. The student's educational backgrounds range across what would likely be considered secondary school in the West, and their home learning has taught them a different core knowledge from what we in the West have all grown up with. For instance, many could identify several species of poisonous snakes in their area, and will sometimes reveal cultural practices regarding various plant based remedies to common (and sometimes uncommon) ailments. Fortunately, we have two translators Tim and Sarep helping translate both the language and the culture!
As we began to teach about various disease processes, we realized that most students had stumbled over the concept of bacteria and viruses. Our culture benefits from constant exposure to this distinction, and even the ability to see microscopic organisms growing up via science classes and popular media. Consequently, we are working with group activities and lectures to build some conceptual basis of this idea, with the goal being it will reinforce the idea of antibiotic stewardship.
We've also begun progressing through our main "syllabus" Where There Is No Doctor, although we leave roughly half the day to explore unanticipated questions or knowledge gaps, come up with educational games to keep the student's attention, and take a few breaks for tea and snacks.
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