Positive Thinking

Whilst on an international prac in Fiji the third world health standards and lack of resources meant that patients would die of conditions that would have been medically managed in Australia. Due to this death was a regular occurrence on the daily ward round.

However another aspect that compounded this already difficult issue was the cultural difference from what we are accustomed to in Australia. Personally I found it extremely confronting to see the Indian/Fijian people grieving from the loss of loved ones. After the death of a patient on my ward it was extremely difficult to carry on as normal whilst the late patients wife was sobbing behind the patients curtain cradling the body. Fijian hospitals don’t have the luxury of private/ separate rooms, all patients are in a large room separated only by a thin curtain. This makes it extremely hard for other patients and staff when somebody passes away as the mourning of the family is witnessed by the entire ward.

Due to the poor Fijian health standards the hospital is regarded as a death sentence by patients. With so much death around the role of the multidisciplinary team relies heavily on morale boosting. I have learned the importance of a positive outlook in such a challenging environment. Although personally tis positive attitude is extremely difficult to maintain the benefits gained by the patients was enough reward to continue my struggle. I have so much admiration for the Fijian physios for their ability to deal with the daily challenge to maintain this patient hope and motivation.