Adventure Doc Remote Medicine

Remote medicine is a very unique sub-speciality of medicine. I think it is the most challenging type of medicine there is (but I am biased). Providing medical care often understaffed, in terms of specialists and equipment, is the cornerstone of remote/rural practice. This means that there is often not a "specialist" to consult on a condition or problem. So, in a larger/urban facility one could simply call the appropriate specialist and the problem is solved. The 7 year old with a fractured arm would benefit from an orthopedic consultant, but the nearest one is a six-hour car ride away. The general practitioner just got promoted to the rank of orthopedist, by default. It is now their job to correctly interpret the x-ray (if you have that luxuiary) and then make the necessary treatment. Reduction and a cast? Splint? Growth Plate? Analgesia? Your next patient could have a very clear cut case of appendicitis. The diagnosis jumps out of the text-book. This patient, you are sure, has a "hot appy". Now what? In an urban setting, ask for a surgical referral and go have a cup of tea. In a remote setting, the nearest surgeon is in the city...a 4 hour walk because there are no busses running for another 2 days. How long can it wait? Can I get a surgeon here? Antibiotics? Can I do it myself? These are the questions faced by a rural/remote physician.

Quickly, one can see the skill set required by a remote health care provider is unique. There is nobody else to call. It is just you and the patient. Definately scary stuff! The most important requirements of this job, I feel, are flexability, an ability to operate out of your "comfort zone" and being committed to constantly learning new things. Knowing where to find information fast is also a very important skill.

Hopefully, this page will give some useful information to those interested in this field of medicine.