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Packing List: I traveled in June, which is rainy season and also has humid temperatures. My list is not in any particular order except how I remember it. Umbrella or thin waterproof jacket: This is useful to get around, although you never travel in an open jeep. Get an umbrella that is small sized as your daily bag will otherwise get heavier. Gloves: Get a few boxes. Most places have gloves but may sometimes run out depending on supply. If you have left over, like I did, you can either give to the hospital or leave back in the Villa at Couples for the next volunteers to use. Ophthalmoscope and otoscope: Get small, lightweight portable ones. This is easily a must, if you want to get through clinic more efficiently. I used these nearly every day. There are a lot of versions available online, buy something which gives you a good deal with a sizeable stock of disposable ear nozzles. Most importantly it has to be extremely lightweight. Cross-body small purse: I used this to put my clinical equipment in – the eye and ear scopes, measuring tapes, extra nozzles, antibacterial gel, handkerchief and phone or other personal item. This was useful as one of the blog posts says don’t leave anything in the room as it may disappear. This method kept my hands free and my clinical tools available. Tourniquets: if you are used to them to do lab draws, most places don’t have any. They just tie a glove instead to obtain IV access. Easy tear surgical tape – they are in short supply occasionally. Most places are well stocked. Stethoscope(s), toys to attach to stethoscope or bubbles to pacify children. Laptop bag: I found my own laptop bag more convenient to use as it had more capacity to hold the books, water and lunch. Notebook: It is easier to keep a written running list as you complete charts, to send to Diane about patients seen every day. This does not need identifiers. I did not generally have time to log the patients in the laptop. I would do that after going back to the hotel. CDC and WHO growth charts – take them with you as you may need them Harriet Lane: There is one copy in the Villa. If you have more than one person going that month then better to have your own latest copy to use. I had data roaming on my cell phone but it only gave me 2G coverage, so the book was very important for me. Flu masks: keep a few if you may ever need them. Respiratory illnesses are prevalent. Small flashlight: To walk to and from the Villa after dark.

Jamaica! I can easily say that the Pediatrics rotation here was one of the best months during my residency. Looking back on my short time on the island, the one thing I remember and miss the most is the friendliness of the people. Issa Trust does an incredible job in coordinating and organizing these volunteer opportunities, which is no small feat when we cross country lines. The places we work at appreciate having assistance from the volunteer physicians and also guide us when needed about how to work in a completely different and new environment. When I first started thinking of packing for my Jamaica trip, I was worried about how the rotation will go. I am the first person from my residency program to have opted for this elective, and hence had no peer guidance available. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I would say that the guide that Ms Pollard sends you is pretty accurate about what to expect. Start planning a few months in advance. Go through the guide at one go, make mental or paper notes for yourself. If you are in a time crunch, use a notepad-like app on your smart phone – this keeps a packing and reminder list handy to add on to whenever you are inspired. I found this to be the most convenient way. Make sure you read the PDF again 1-2 weeks prior to departure, to go through the travel tips. The blog also offers a wealth of information. Once I started reading it, I could not stop. I wanted to know more, as most of it is practical and gives a good idea of what to expect in the clinical realm.

Today will be one of my less cheerful, slightly frustrated blogs. The reason is that today I felt like a burden. I must preface this with saying that one of the things I am very much looking forward to going back to is the ability to get in my car and go where I want on my own timetable and power. With that background, I felt very strongly like we were a thorn in people’s side today as our driver was late to pick us up, and then there did not seem to be a place for me to work today. I started my day like usual when I work in the A&E, but due to space constraints I was moved to another part of the hospital. Moving around does not bother me in the least as I would work out of a corner if I had to, but I felt like my presence was more of a nuisance than a benefit today. I want my work here to be a positive experience for my patients and for the people I work alongside. I know wishing that was the case every moment sounds very idealistic, but what else am I doing here if not to foster relationships and learn. I do not want to be an annoyance or any kind of bother and feeling even remotely like that has given me a definite case of the Mondays. On a more positive note (because I can never stay gloomy for long), we had a great time at the ISSA/CHUKKA Trust polo match. When Diane told me of the event, I had to chuckle because we started having a similar affair back in St. Louis. Starting last year we have an annual “Glennon Gallop” to benefit our primary care clinic at Cardinal Glennon. The patient population there is mainly Medicaid and reimbursement is not great, so fund-raising can benefit the clinic and patient population a great deal. The overall feel and goals were the same at both events, so experiencing this Jamaican version was a great treat. We also got to spend some time with one of the doctors from Annotto Bay outside of the hospital and that was a delight as well. That leads me to my overwhelming favorite part of this entire experience- the people. I have found Jamaica as a whole to be a friendly and welcoming place that has embraced our visit. We are often asked if this is our first time to Jamaica and then warmly welcomed. This question has come from resort staff, MOH drivers, other health care workers, and even the patients. There is a pride here that permeates much of the culture and it is truly special. We have also met some very interesting travelers along the way from many parts of the states and the world. I hope someday to be able to come back so I am not a neophyte, but a true Jamaica-phile. Please pardon my grumpy mood earlier. As it often is, writing was cathartic.