Concluding Observations

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

From left: Dr. Nadia, Maya, Ann Marie, Dr. C

Anna, School of Social Work

From this week at CCTH, I further began to understand the value of interprofessional collaboration, especially in combating communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS. During my week, I worked with HIV nurse educators who aided patients to maintain treatment compliance in the hope of preventing defaulting on their ARV regiment. I am interested in researching gender and cultural based adherence methods (i.e. To what extent does gender play a role in defaulting on ARVs and if so, what factors contribute to this discrepancy?)

Ann Marie with her mentor, Dr. Oboudai

Ann Marie, School of Medicine

I had the opportunity to observe some of the major public health issues in Ghana. Like in the States, Ghanaians suffer from high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Additionally, public health concerns in Ghana are infectious disease, sepsis due to poor sanitation, and malnutrition. Nationalized health care provides a wonderful platform to administer medication and offer education for patients suffering from HIV, and the majority of patients are covered. The opportunity to speak with both doctors and patients during this week gave me a clear perspective on the successes and challenges of the Ghanaian health care system.

Maya, School of Pharmacy
Working and learning with the passionate staff at UCC teaching hospital in the antenatal and HIV clinic was invaluable. UCC TH is continuously working to improve a patient's health outcomes through focusing on optimal treatment, rehabilitation, and a supportive process to reintegrate back into their normal lifestyle . Three words that describe the vibe of this hospital environment is collaboration, community and compassion. Although limited in resources compared to US standards, this hospital is rich in its commitment to optimal care. I have left with a better understanding of the resources as well as structural and process changes that will be a priority for UCC. Additionally, learning about the National Health Insurance Schema helped me understand the intersection of governmental policy, politics and health care in Ghana.

Natalie, School of Nursing
I learned that there are more similarities than differences in the health care delivery practices in the USA and Ghana.  Nurses and midwives struggled with issues of stigma and disclosure among the HIV/AIDS patient population.  These same struggles exist in the USA.  While there seems to be a stigma associated with HIV/AIDS overall in Ghana, I did not observe stigmatization from the health care providers.  I think we have something to learn from the nurses and midwives who work in an empathetic, encouraging, and non-judging way with the HIV/AIDS patient population.