After five weeks of extensive preparation which included building various health care technologies, understanding project backgrounds and crafting surveys for evaluation, the day has finally arrived to embark on the much awaited journey (36 hours to be exact) to Malawi. Here’s a brief snap shot of the student-developed global health technologies we will investigate (more details will follow in the upcoming posts):

BoxyClean, a low-cost, transportable shipping container-based sterile processing system for hospital tools

Stirrup to Checkup, a portable gynecological tool kit for mobile women’s health clinics

Phototherapy Calibration, a dosing meter allowing for greater precision in light treatment for patients with jaundice

Low-Cost Neonatal Thermometers, Joao and Truce’s design child, allows caretakers to determine fever in an intuitive binary manner (yes/no)

Temperature Sensor, an instrument able to detect hypothermia/elevated body temperature through continuous monitoring

Flow Splitter, an adaptor splitting flow of oxygen tank concentrators, allowing for increased patient treatment

Babymetrix, an integrated and affordable measuring device for infants (almost two years since initiation, it’s finally going to Malawi … shout out to the Bebevoros Team)

Morphine Dosing Clip, a more accurate morphine dosing system for palliative care settings

DataPall, an electronic medical records system for palliative care settings, is an already implemented on-site project by the 2012 BTB Interns. We will work to update and fine-tune the system.

Personal and Internship Goals/Expectations

It’s always interesting and insightful to ponder what an experience will mean and then later compare those expectations to what it actually meant. Here I layout some objective and personal goals:

• Attain applicable and comprehensive feedback on the above technologies

As a non-engineering student involved in design work, I was particularly drawn to the creativity required to think within a framework of constraints. A technology in itself is not useful without emphasis on the end-user. Forming criteria and shaping a product requires such ingenuity; however, design is also an iterative process. This firsthand interaction with the target group will be extremely helpful in further developing our “framework of constraints.”

• Understand delivery of health care in low-resource settings

Academic exploration and other forms of formal education are no doubt important; however, experiential learning provides a unique perspective. I hope to synthesize the benefits of both approaches to expand my knowledge and understanding. Moreover, from a career standpoint, I aspire to get a better sense for where I fit in the global health field and how I can best contribute.

• Learn a new culture and society through immersion and relationships

Extended opportunities to live in a foreign country are truly a blessing (thank you donors)! Having studied abroad in Denmark, I really appreciate the benefits that such exposure provides. I’ll strive to integrate myself as best as possible with the mindset of an explorer.

• Sitting at a desk, half way across the world and detailing expectations has its limits. I look forward to the goals/expectations discovered while in Malawi.