| |
November 1996
Volume 60 |
Number 11
|
| |
TO THE MEMBERSHIP
|
| Jekyll and Hyde |
Two articles in this issue should cause the ASA Overseas Teaching
Program (OTP) to re-evaluate its site selection process. As is
evident in the articles written by two OTP volunteers, the experiences
of K.A. Kelly McQueen, M.D., in Tanzania
are in sharp contrast with those of Carl
H. Nielsen, M.D. The question is not whether an effort should
be directed in helping developing countries establish safe, effective
anesthesia departments but whether the effort has been targeted
appropriately.
The marked contrasts evoked by the two referenced articles raise
the issue of the selection process. If identical criteria were
used for site selection, then the situation in Zambia might reflect
a quality issue, and if so, this should be addressed.
On the other hand, it would appear that despite "Herculean"
efforts by our latest volunteer, Zambia was an inappropriate choice
initially. An effort should be made to study the Zambian situation
in order to avoid a similar problem in future site selection.
Erwin Lear, M.D.
Editor
return to top
|