Abstract
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Inc. (APPRHS) formed a unique internship opportunity. The purpose of the internship was to expose students to different specialty areas of medicine providing an educational experience that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. Over the course of six weeks, I participated in rotations in the Pharmacy, Surgery, Emergency, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Radiology and Medical/Surgical Departments of Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville, NC. Due to its remote location, the hospital is classified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a Medicare Critical Access Hospital with an underserved population. Many patients had limited access to medical care and as a result, were suffering long term complications of living with chronic conditions like heart disease, lung disease, stroke and diabetes. My experiences were diverse and included; observing gallbladder operations and colonoscopies, suturing of leg lacerations, MRIs, CT scans and x-rays. I also discussed current diabetes protocol with the hospital pharmacist and interacted with patients in various stages of cardiac rehabilitation. Although there is a serious shortage of health practitioners in the field of rural medicine, the professionals at Cannon Memorial were dedicated to caring for each patient in a thorough and unhurried manner seldom seen in healthcare today. This experience has prompted me to explore a career in rural medicine.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Robin Sherman
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-13-2012 1:00 PM
End Date
4-13-2012 5:30 PM
Exploring Rural Medicine: Internship in Linville, North Carolina
Alvin Sherman Library
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Inc. (APPRHS) formed a unique internship opportunity. The purpose of the internship was to expose students to different specialty areas of medicine providing an educational experience that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. Over the course of six weeks, I participated in rotations in the Pharmacy, Surgery, Emergency, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Radiology and Medical/Surgical Departments of Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville, NC. Due to its remote location, the hospital is classified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a Medicare Critical Access Hospital with an underserved population. Many patients had limited access to medical care and as a result, were suffering long term complications of living with chronic conditions like heart disease, lung disease, stroke and diabetes. My experiences were diverse and included; observing gallbladder operations and colonoscopies, suturing of leg lacerations, MRIs, CT scans and x-rays. I also discussed current diabetes protocol with the hospital pharmacist and interacted with patients in various stages of cardiac rehabilitation. Although there is a serious shortage of health practitioners in the field of rural medicine, the professionals at Cannon Memorial were dedicated to caring for each patient in a thorough and unhurried manner seldom seen in healthcare today. This experience has prompted me to explore a career in rural medicine.
