Shadowing a Pediatrician in Argentina
Updated: Aug 7
Written by Alanna McFadden
Published on June 11, 2024
This week, our professor challenged us to write un retrato (literal translation: a portrait) about someone in our life. I chose to write about Dr. Paola, as I had spent a lot of time shadowing her and felt that I could push myself to encapsulate the experience of being a pediatrician in Argentina at a small, overcrowded hospital.
English Version (Translated from Spanish)
Dr. Paola
When Paola looks at you, it feels as if you were wrapped in a blanket sitting in front of a fireplace while drinking hot chocolate. She has blue eyes that wrinkle in the corners when she smiles, Her beautiful gray hair is wild and curly, and she puts it up with a pretty flower pin. She has a maternal energy and takes care of everyone: her patients, her friends, her family, everyone. However, this dedication is a double-edged sword. She is always working.
I remember one day in particular during the winter. It seemed as if all of the children in Córdoba were sick and it felt like Paola was the only doctor in the province. She had a difficult task to do: remove mucus from tiny babies using a suction tube. One after the other, every mother restrained their baby while Paola inserted the tube into their noses. I watched while a mix of mucus and blood ran through the tube. Every baby cried, turning their head and squeezing their eyes shut. When Paola was measuring the blood oxygen level of a baby, there was a knock on the door. It was rare to have an appointment where Paola wasn't interrupted. Paola took a deep breath and continued recording the baby's data into her computer.
After the appointment, Paola opened the door to find 3 mothers with babies in their arms, waiting just outside the door. Paola sighed, grabbing her stethoscope to listen to each baby. When she had reassured all of the mothers, she walked to her car briskly to grab her food: a banana with strawberry flavored cookies. She ran to her office before anyone could call her. She breathed deeply, leaning her head against the wall. Sometimes, I questioned how she found time to breath.
After a moment of silence, she looked at me, shaking her head. "They don't understand that I give the same attention to every person. They're used to doctors that rush their appointments, but I'm not that kind of doctor." She slurped her mate, scrunching her face. She massaged her forehead and looked at me again, with a soft, kind smile. "How are you, girl? Everything alright?" I opened my mouth to respond when another knock sounded at the door. Paola pursed her lips, getting up to start all over again.
This writing exercise allowed me to reflect on my shadowing experience in a new way. I am thankful that I got to portray the human aspect of what it's like to be a doctor within Argentina's healthcare system. Months ago, when I first arrived, the sound of a free healthcare system sounded so ingenious and beneficial. While I do see the benefits it is able to provide to the population as a whole, my internship experience opened my eyes to some of the challenges within this system.
Recently, my host parents asked me about my shadowing experience, and after sharing what I had learned, they shared some of their own struggles as locals navigating the healthcare system. Many of those who can afford to, my host parents included, pay for private health insurance, because they simply cannot find the quality of care they need within the free public healthcare system.
Lately, my mind has been filled with so many questions. Would increasing the national healthcare budget solve this problem? If so, how would the funds be distributed? What policies and programs could be put in place to reduce the burden on doctors like Paola? What technology could be utilized to decrease the wait time for each patient?
I realize the importance of having healthcare advocates in positions that can impact the policies that shape our healthcare system. In the future, I desire to be a physician leader in public health to improve the lives of both patients and doctors within the U.S. healthcare system and abroad. I plan to collaborate with other physician leaders on an international scale to impact change in global communities.
Update:
During my senior year, I've had the chance to take many thought-provoking classes that have deepened my understanding of global healthcare systems and their impact on Spanish-speaking patients.
I am currently taking a course called Technical Spanish for Health Management Professionals. We have a project to write a research paper about a healthcare system in a Spanish-speaking country. Of course, I chose Argentina, and I'm happy to say this assignment is helping me brainstorm some of my own answers to those burning questions I've had about Argentina's healthcare system!
You can read more about it here:
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