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From: rgt@hpfclj.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ai
Subject: Re: just a reminder... - (nf)
Message-ID: <3303@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 24-Dec-83 03:21:41 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.3303
Posted: Sat Dec 24 03:21:41 1983
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#R:sri-arpa:-1364800:hpfclj:7500001:000:1594
hpfclj!rgt    Dec 19 10:25:00 1983

Sending Doctors ....

Apparently more people involved in this discussion have seen Return of
the Jedi than have visited a hospital/clinic/doctor's office in recent
times.  The day will be long in coming when an amiable chap like R2-D2
or C3PO ambles into a remote village of Ewoks and begins treating the
ailments of all who come.  

A doctor is the visible apex of an extensive pyramid of medical 
professionals.  The include certified clinical professionals,
nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, lab
technicians, physical therapists, etc.  Doctors today are the decision
makers of the profession, but some of the information for those 
decisions come from labs and x-ray suites and a substantial amount of
the treatment is by nurses, nurse's aides and therapists.  Doctors are 
trained to make use of the available resources.  

Before you send doctors, send nurses, practitioner, registered, licensed.

On indian reservations in the desert south-west, there are clinics
where not doctors visit.  The resident nurse will consult with a doctor
as necessary by radio -- since there are no phones.  If the nurse has 
something beyond her profession, she will have the patient taken to a
hospital.

In villages in South America, a nurse (even without consultation from a
doctor) will improve the health of the residents.  There is not concern
from cancer, heart disease, brain tumors.  The killers are malnutrition,
inadequate sanitation, poor pre-natal and infant care.
The days of Albert Schweitzer
may well be over.  (Don't tell me that Mother Theresa is an MD.)