Summer 2013 COM Outlook | NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine

7 COM Outlook . Summer 2013 been theory moments before. Dr. Hussain Rawji commu- nicated with a Socratic style of teaching that stimulated our critical thinking. We were amazed by his wealth of knowledge as he treated every patient, and we learned and experienced many techniques that were completely novel to us. He used various techniques with the patients, from poor man’s tests for bacterial vaginosis testing to cal- culating the approximate gestational age of a fetus merely by palpation. Every case was interesting. Children were an unforgettable part of the trip. Dr. Rodriguez was a favorite with the children, who trusted her enough to also let us perform physicals on them and still leave with a smile on their faces. The dental station run by Dr. Shirin Rawji was also key, and while there was not much that could be done immediately outside of teeth pull- ing, unfortunately many patients needed just that—and in a great amount. The children were especially brave, often having just seen a sibling leave with a tear-soaked face. This was also a new experience for us, as dentistry was the last thing thought to be experienced as medical students. We were able to comfort the children and ease their fears of having their teeth pulled. Even with tears run- ning down their cheeks and still hyperventilating from the experience, they always agreed that they were happy. They gave us the brightest smiles they could despite the anesthesia and gauze in their mouths and promised to brush their teeth after every meal. Those smiles made every second of scream-induced tinnitus worth it. It was through these experiences that many of us also learned how to comfort children, making some of us even recon- sider working with them as a career. Many people in Tandayapa had very physical jobs. Consequently, the OMM station was especially helpful and gave immediate relief to numerous people complaining of both recent and long-term pain they did not previously know how to manage. Nothing, however, compares to the experiences the whole group had in Tandayapa after the clinic concluded. It was the craziest rainforest hiking adventure, which started out as a nice walk enjoying the amazing views adorned with an immense diversity of flora and fauna. In Milpe, we slept in the clouds. Or at least that is how it felt every morning from looking out of the second-story window to see the tranquil sight of tree tops, clouds and toucans. Alongside patient care, we conducted surveys to con- tinue the ongoing research study developed by Dr. Robin J. Jacobs, associate professor and director of international medicine. This interaction enabled us to get to know the Ecuadorian people on a one-to-one basis. We explained the purpose of the survey to the patients as they waited to be called for triage. We also clarified how it would help us further our research, explaining that the analysis of our findings about musculoskeletal pains that afflict them would allow us to better serve them. We have never seen a group of people so excited about answering a survey. They were so happy they could help us with our research that some of them came to us even after seeing the physicians and said they would like to