Guess What?!

This just in! Lia and Garrett are on the scene in Chiang Mai, Thailand to cover this joyous day for Global Baylor!

Ballin'

This morning we took a quick ride in Chiang Mai's signature red trucks to visit the Chiang Mai University Medical School. Once we arrived at the department of community medicine, we were met by big smiles and goodie bags filled with sweet treats. Our lecturer, Dr. Pisittawoot, a field epidemiologist, began to speak to us about the Thai healthcare system. He told us that Thailand is divided into 77 provinces, which are further divided into districts, communities, subdistricts, and villages. According to him, Thai healthcare is divided similarly. Subdistrict clinics act as primary care for the Thai people. These clinics are the first stop for someone who feels ill. From there, a patient can be referred to a community hospital, the second degree of medical care. There, a patient will find a larger staff and more advanced medicine to suit their needs. If the patient is in severe need of treatment, they can be referred to a general or regional hospital, the third degree of care. General hospitals are much like those in the States, with several different medical specialties represented, providing a top level of care for the seriously ill. The Thai healthcare system even has their own program for referrals, called the Thai Refer Program. This program allows easy access for physicians to review or transfer patients' medical records at a connected facility.

Traditionally ballin'

He then began to tell us about the path medical students take during their schooling. In Thailand, medical school is treated like a trade school, with students applying to medical schools after graduating high school. After acceptance, there are two different categories of students: clinical and MD. Clinical students are involved in 3 years of schooling in research and field work, followed by 3 more years of primary care work before receiving their degrees. MD students have a more divided schedule, each of the six years designated to a different kind of field work. Most of the students' time is spent in a practical medical environment, rather than in a classroom. Dr. Pisattawoot further stated that the government covers the cost of medical school, except for schooling at private universities. This is compensated by the fact that newly graduated MDs are required to serve at a government run hospital for a designated amount of time.

Acupuncture tools

After the lecture, we said our goodbyes to the kind staff at the university and rode a short distance to TTCM, a branch of the university medical system which focuses on integrating traditional alternative and complementary medicine with western health care. There, we were told about the many incredible benefits of traditional medicine. According to the lecture, Chinese acupuncture can be used to treat strokes, and "cupping" is proven to improve blood flow in the body. A special massage developed by this clinic, which combines Chinese and Thai massage techniques, can have the same effect on joint pain as ibuprofen.

Getting cupped

Ready to hit the town

Getting stuck

Chickie

Next, we took a very informative tour of the facility. The staff taught us about the many ins and outs of running a traditional medicine practice. We learned that the clinic enables an integrated and sustainable health care service. We were shown the massage rooms, botanical garden filled with medicinal herbs, and the acupuncture/cupping room. While in the acupuncture room, Reid and Lohith were able to experience the ancient art form. Lohith even got stuck in the head! He said
it hurt when he laughed XD. Reid ended up with huge welts on his back after the cupping experience!
Then, a lot of us went to go enjoy the major motion picture: The Lion King!
At the end of the day, we went to One Nimman for a delightful dinner at the market. We had crepes, CHICKEN BUTT, and dumplings!
Can't wait for the silk village tomorrow!!!!<3