MedicScan-Africa Asia Health Dynamics has over the past few years conducted trainings on POCUS with a mission to equip doctors and other medical providers with the skills to improve better patient’s outcome.
Just recently, in collaboration with Pumwani Maternity Hospital, MedicScan successfully completed Trainer of Trainees OBS/GYN POCUS Training. With this training, this team of specialists is expected to roll out the skills acquired to the rest of the specialists in their field.
Let’s talk with Dr Victoria, one of the OBS-GYN POCUS Trainer of Trainees.
Esther: Thank you for your time Dr Victoria. We appreciate your feedback
Dr Victoria: Thank you Esther. I’m humbled to be here. And thank you for the opportunity to become POCUS TOT as well.
Esther: To start with, what was the main reason for your interest to join OBGYN POCUS Training?
Dr Victoria: I have always wanted to learn how to perform obstetrics ultrasound. When I came to learn of the opportunity, I took it.
Esther: That is interesting. I would like to know, how do local physicians examine patients without ultrasound especially in the OBGYN field?
Dr Victoria: As doctors, we begin by taking a detailed medical history from the patients by asking questions and conducting clinical assessment, family history to gather information that may help in diagnosis. However, doctors who don’t have ultrasound machines will refer their patients for ultrasound after the assessment to help with accuracy of diagnosis.
Esther: Interesting, could there be any benefits, such as income or position, after taking the POCUS training?
Dr Victoria: Yes, there are many benefits after taking POCUS Training: monetary and non-monetary.
The ability to see patients and do an ultrasound at the same place is very convenient to the doctor and the patient. It also hastens decision making by reducing the waiting time before results. If someone has their own ultrasound machine, then it becomes possible to earn some extra cash by doing the scans and charging for them.
Esther: That’s a very important point there. How do you think POCUS is important?
Dr Victoria: In Obstetrics and sometimes Gynaecology, timely decision making is the difference between life and death. I strongly believe that POCUS training and availability of ultrasound machines in our labour wards can help improve our maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Esther: I totally agree with you on this one, life’s very fragile.
What do you think were the good and bad points of this OBS-GYN POCUS training?
Dr Victoria: There is no particular problem that I encountered with the POCUS training. It was well done and I sincerely appreciate the opportunity.
Esther: Thank you. Such insights motivates us to continue providing this training.
The medical world is another area where we need to work with the private sector. For example, what kind of startups do you think would make a difference in Kenyan healthcare?
Dr Victoria: I think the world of technology has a lot to offer to the medical field. Integrated data systems and management at regional and national level. Currently, every facility manages their data as they deem right. It becomes difficult to do a proper analysis of our status as a country. This makes it hard to know our areas of need and gaps in our health care system.
Esther: Well understood. On to my last question, what kind of doctor do you want to be in 10 years?
Dr Victoria: In the next 10 years to come, I want to become a proficient researcher and professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Esther: Thank you so much Dr Victoria and all the best!
