Pooja Garg, Public Health in China, Summer 2012
My experience with the Public Health in China program has prompted numerous exciting conversations and reinforced friendships. As I was interviewing for graduate schools this past year, I was able to talk about how my study abroad experience strengthened my communication skills and enabled me to think of healthcare delivery from a global perspective.
The immersive, field-intensive aspects of the program still stick out in my mind. As a part of the Public Health in China course, we visited the CDC branch in Beijing, and met with health care officials who were happy to answer our questions. They talked about the major public health issues currently afflicting China. There is a growing incidence of cancer as a result of pollution and smoking, as well as increasing obesity rates and high rates of mortality due to traffic accidents.
As China is rapidly industrializing, it faces health issues similar to America. Access to health care is also a major issue, since about 50% of the population lives in rural areas, according to the 2010 census report. While Beijing is certainly not rural, the immense population must face long lines and crowded hospitals when trying to seek care. During our visit to the Peking University First Hospital, I remember thinking that the waiting area looked more like an airport, with masses of people waiting in seats and providing paperwork to different agents. Doctors commonly work for 14 hours straight seeing patients.The Peking First Hospital had some very useful common aspects. In the picture below, a patient is seen printing out her blood test reports at a health kiosk. These kiosks have a high degree of utility since patients can independently check their reports quickly and efficiently.
Traditional Chinese medicine was another class that had memorable field trips. We learned different TCM techniques, such as acupuncture and were able to practice these newly learned techniques on each other (but not without a little pain). We learned about how TCM and Western medicine can have a collaborative purpose when used together. TCM is rooted in centuries of ancient Chinese practice and is an integral part of home practice. Home remedies are passed on through generations.
Great Post. Lovely to hear what you think about TCM