EBME Forums Forums Management Training Advice would be really appreciated

Sounds like there's some real engineering to be done out there!

Ah ... politics! And politicians. What do they have to do with caring for folk (very little, in my experience). As I say, all of these aid agencies have some sort of agenda ... even if it's only evangelising!

Those of us who like to offer help with no strings attached seem a bit few and far between, unfortunately.

There's nothing much wrong with the provision of healthcare to the people of Cuba (apart from lack of funding due to "sanctions", of course).

Compare the state of the Cubans in Miami to those in Havana, for instance (I'll say no more).

Meanwhile, what do the governments out there spend their income on, I wonder? I believe I'm right in saying that defence is taken care of by New Zealand, for example.

On seconds thoughts, perhaps you'd rather not reply to questions like those.

yes Geoff - I will keep those opinions private and anyhow I am not allowed to - actually as I have a huge love for where I work, what I do and the Pacific people so it would also be very two faced of me to critise them - the vast majority dont deserve the raw deal they get from their politicians.

one of my former colleagues in Australia was an English ex RAF biomed who spent two terms in Rhiyad - I think thats how you spell it - maybe you met him he now works for Queensland Health Jim Fraser?

He had some stories about how hard it can be there dealing with hospital manangement and the religeous police so I know you do understand the frustrations of the job in remote climes.

Hey Andy,

Long time no chat!, I got a call from one of our Clinical Nurse Consultants, about a group of surgeons who are travelling from Brisbane to Fiji with the intent of doing some Navigated Hip / Knee operations.

I believe they are heading over next week to check out the theatres etc first so they can plan to send everything they need over.

We are planning on sending over one of our Navigation units so they can do this, are the electrical outlets in theatres over there the same as in Oz?

There have been a number of threads here on the forum that have touched on the topic of "donated" (and donating) equipment. Here are a couple:-

One
Two

Just like everywhere else in the world, then.

PS: I was generally able to avoid the big hospitals in Riyadh. I was more of a "desert clinics" kind of guy myself!

Hi Nick hope Stryker are treating you well.

I will send you the email of an engineer in Fiji who may be able to advise you - last I know is that suva are having real difficulties getting their theatres ready - they use 240 v same as Australia but from what I can remember they use sleeve index gas terminals in theatre but have taper index in ICU and, I think, recovery which makes it difficult if the team bring their own gas equipment

Thanks for the links on donated equipment - I have experienced it firsthand when I was in Australia for a conference - some bean counter worried that they might get sued if a patient was "injured" (this was a finance guy not a medical guy) ordered the destruction of 42 retired but functional WA spot 4200 monitors - I had to stand by and watch two guys with hammers render them inoperable whilst I fumed - the assets manager to his credit told me to take what I could carry - he wouldn't tell! However I was flying out next day and couldnt fit any in my luggage. However, being on the receiving end I do encourage anyone donating to read the WHO policy document on donated equipment and contact someone like myself first - we welcome equipment but as I remarked before I live in a magical picture postcard type of place and we dont have space for the landfill unwanted equipment ends up in. I have a presentation for aid donors that contrasts the amazing postcard type locations here and with the reality of the unwanted medical equipment dumps cluttering up our medical facilities - its over dramatic but thats because I want the point stressed. If I knew how I would upload the WHO document - it really addresses the issue well and stresses not to send unrequested equipment.

Well, that's the Modern "Western" World for you ... too many people more worried about covering their ... er, assets than salving their conscience.

You'd think that folk who work in healthcare would ... er, care a bit more, wouldn't you? In my opinion, "suits" and bean-counters are just a bunch of jokers, Andy. I have little time for such people myself. To my mind they just get in the way.

Meanwhile, it seems that many (most) folk just see the "picture postcard", without giving a second thought to the reality behind it.

Heck, we even see that here, when the grockles descend upon the South West of England during the summer months!

For all everyones help - many thanks guys.
I go into meetings tomorrow to start to thrash this out and all the ideas help and suggestions have been invaluable.
I really appreciate it and have taken on board suggestions made and advice given
Thanks again

Ok - for thoughts and comments what we are looking at is a trade level certificate - it involves a two and a half year course - an introduction to healthcare - how a hospital works, simple A & P, what we do and where we fit in the picture then two eight week block courses per year on electronics and basics followed by mentored on the job work including nine modules on equipment servicing to be delivered over the training period - these start with simple tasks such as sphgymos, and other simple stuff followed by progressively more advanced modules (the first time they encounter powered devices is after term 2) or practical module 3.

The lessons lead progressively through more involved electronic theory plus diagnostic methods and standards until by the end of the last one the student has completed theory and practical hands on of every device he or she is likely to encounter in a general hospital setting.

Later after he or she has got some experience we plan to offer some specialist add on certificate courses in imaging, dental, lab equipment, renal etc as we think by then they will have an idea of where they fit in what their abilities are and what they want to specialise in.

The course is a technician level course not a diploma or degree as that would only encourage them to seek better money overseas and at the moment, in my countries I fill the clinical engineering role so its not necessary nor practical to train to that level.

any thoughts or perspectives I haven't thought of would be welcomed