The TRUTH about Rural Medicine in Remote Northern Canada: Rural Doctor Reacts to Dr. Glaucomflecken

[@BearAndFoxBeadworks]

As an indigenous physical therapist assistant here in rural Texas, I want to thank you for addressing one of the most traumatic recent events that our people have to live with. Not many non-native people realize that it still takes a real toll on so many. So thank you for having such a kind heart ❤️ Also, Dr. G is hysterical, I love all of his videos. Rural med and Ortho are my favorites, lol. Keep up the good work, and many blessings to you!!!

[@riohenry6382]

I was in the ICU for a week (I’m fine now, thank God). When I recovered my voice (I had lost the ability to make sense). I made friends with an indigenous man who lived thousands of miles from Ottawa but could only be treated in Ottawa. He was there for over a month, all alone, with no visitors or family. We’re a big country and I understand there's only so much money but this man's predicament broke my heart

[@WaiferThyme]

That's sad😢.

[@br6480]

I once had an elderly Inuit patient who didn’t speak English. Every day he would pull his cover off his bed, place it on the floor and have me sit with him. He taught me how to speak Inuktitut. This was in the’80s and I really miss that gentleman.

[@Original_Flanno]

Thats weird, usually they bring a friend/family member from up north. Thats sad, it woumd be so lonely :(

[@TricksterModeEngaged]

​@Original_Flanno I wonder if maybe he had kids or elderly parents who needed to be looked after while he was gone? I know I've met people who had to get care far away from where they lived and couldn't bring someone because the someones were at home caring for other relatives. Somewhat unavoidable, but that seems so lonely

[@tinandglass]

Growing up in rural parts of BC the most intensive care is done in Vancouver. A relative had a workplace injury and was sent to Richmond. A friend from Vernon wound up being quadriplegic he was sent to the lower mainland. Pregnant women having to live elsewhere for prenatal care etc It keeps health care costs down, but rural families and communities suffer for it.

[@hadrianbuiltawall9531]

In a city, the situation would cause a major panic. In a rural community, its "you have SOME idea what's wrong? Good, sew me up and let me go".

[@pamjaramillo1770]

I enjoyed your video and learning about your rural medical system......if I was younger I'd be interested in living there and starting a support team to help the medical staff!!!!

[@francescafrancesca3554]

​@@pamjaramillo1770 In twenty years in the future, you'll see you are young today. May you do whatever fills your soul with peace and have the life you truly want, friend

[@breadtoast1036]

rural its always either "i need it now or ill settle for good enough aka duct tape and whiskey soaked clothe"

My general rule is never live farther than 1 hour or 50 miles from a major city's medical facilities. It's just fundamentally unsafe to be too far from medical care.

[@aphthitos]

My gran was a rural doctor in the post-WW2 Soviet Union for 15 years. She had to travel up to 40 km daily for her rounds, without a car - on foot and horse-drawn carts. The stories she told about how they made do with literally nothing were the most fascinating part of my childhood.

[@HisameArtwork]

she got the medieval experience, good thing they didn't burn her at the stake for knowing math.

[@FrancoNogarin]

Not sure how I have never had you as a Doctor, but I sure am glad you are with us in Fort Smith

[@DrYanYu]

Thank you Franco! Happy to be working here!

[@cinnamongeppelt2362]

This is why I went back to school!! This is my dream to provide rural healthcare. I just graduated with my Nurse Practitioner and midwifery degrees. I love this!

[@Ij-jan]

Congratulations🎉

[@5Seed]

Wish you all the best in your career.

[@Cafeallday222]

Thank you for dedicating yourself to rural communities ❤

[@megancooper6130]

Good luck!!! I’m also a new grad NP in family practice also doing rural care 😊

[@suchnothing]

I know a few young doctors who grew up in Edmonton but went straight into rural medicine after school because they loved how challenging and varied the work was, and were excited about making a huge difference to communities that have a really hard time pulling medical talent away from the cities. One of them specifically did the extra training to get certified to provide abortions, because she knows it can be hard to access procedures like that when you live in Northern Alberta.

[@lethabrooks9112]

I live in Rural Nevada and rural doctors have to deal with grumpy old ranchers who havent seen a doctor since Nixon was in office!

[@juliac406]

They just had to be born or raised in rural Nevada. Hard to teach them anything!!

[@amberpeace5099]

The comedian he’s talking about has a joke of how serious it is if the farmer shows up and hasn’t finished the fence he was working on.

[@Markyroson]

@@amberpeace5099that is a good joke, and probably with a pretty significant kernel of truth in there haha

[@Cafeallday222]

My dad!H not that grumpy but he’s an old hillbilly so he only takes some advice, cause he knows better lmao

Old school rural men don't want to see a doctor unless they're dying but then won't say they're dying. No sunscreen, no sunglasses, no PPE (eyes, ears, lungs), and tobacco and alcohol.

[@nursemarie4819]

I recently retired from rural nursing in Alberta and I can relate to much of this - our lab technicians trained as combined lab / X-ray technicians- a course that’s designed for rural hospitals - I was surprised that d-dimers aren’t done there - as RN ‘s we would run troponins, d-dimers and bnp’s outside of lab hours - same machine different test kits

[@DrYanYu]

thank you for your service!! please share this video with those who may also relate!

[@nursemarie4819]

@@DrYanYuthank you for helping out rural communities !

[@TricksterModeEngaged]

That's kinda neat! I was actually thinking of going back to school to train as a lab tech in a couple of years, maybe I should look into that

[@cherylw5554]

Great video Dr. Yu. Nice to gain insight on your work in Fort Smith. We miss you at the clinic when you go, but I can appreciate how rewarding the work must be.

[@DrYanYu]

Thanks for watching!! :)

[@jppenton93]

Love it Yan! See ya back in Fort Smith next time!

[@DrYanYu]

See you soon!

[@CrankyGrandma]

The rural med videos are what brought me to Doctor glaucomflecken’s videos. All I can say is “the farmer pain scale” is true. Thanks for doing the work you do!

[@ericthompson3982]

Grew up in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, US. Got a sunburn that blistered horrifyingly when I was in 2nd grade. Let's just say... it turned out poorly. Had to go to our local doctor, who's nurse was this guy with a super long braided pony tail who was simply the most caring and competent medical professional I have met to this day. I'll never forget him.

[@charliechristie9916]

You are so earnestly Canadian that I felt thoroughly homesick for Canada in a way I haven't for ages.

[@Cafeallday222]

It’s totally changed in recent years, sadly 😢 25% of people are in poverty now…

[@andrearaicich3974]

Loved the video! I am a doctor from Chile and now I am going to be a rural doctor for 6 years in the North of the country. I know is going to be a great experience and people are going to be greatfull, they always are.

[@WaiferThyme]

I had to get Emergency surgery when I broke my leg. When my surgeon came to see me in IMCU, he told me I'd had a Maisonneuve Fracture. My nurse and I had no clue what that meant so we Googled it and learned about it together. 😊. It actually made us closer as a patient/carer team !

[@SLPtoMD]

I used to work in Hay River and Yellowknife as SLP!! I really miss the NWT and hope to locum up there once I graduate as a physician 😊

[@DrYanYu]

Nice! Thanks for your service!

[@JohannaMueller57]

man, the people in fort smith are really lucky to have you.

[@sanitater3271]

I am a paramedic in rural Australia. I'll sometimes get called into the 'multi purpose service' to assist them when it gets busy as an extra nurse almost.

[@kaygataki6163]

Thank you for what you do. You represent the best of Canada. 🇨🇦❤️

[@rockinstrawberries]

This is so interesting!! Crazy how different things can be, while still all in Canada. Thanks for showing us all this :) from a big city girl

[@VishalSharma-by3oq]

I love your videos! So insightful into what Family Medicine is like in Canada. I am an MS4 applying for FM right now. I would love to see some more videos related to what your day-to-day life looks like and what work-life balance means to you!

[@DrYanYu]

Thanks for your kind feedback - sounds like good video topics for the future! Best of luck to you with your residency applications!

[@edstockman5584]

Army medic, so my entire care set is pre-hospital emergencies...some of the little comments still throw me. No ventilator? That's rough, even we have those in our field sets.

[@Emjay_blackdogranch]

I worked rural ems in Missouri for many years. I never used a ventilator until I started working on the helicopter. I’m glad to see they are being used more now. An hour transport time is exhausting trying to bag and do everything else

[@joywebster2678]

​@Emjay-ed2se yes too often doing medievac from northern Ontario to Toronto, a patient would arrest. I'm with them in the back of an empty small plane. No defib, no vent, because they were rated stable, so didn't rate a actual med plane. I'd have no choice but to call it, since I couldn't do cpr alone for 3 more hrs of the flight. Ugh.

[@phaub]

​@@joywebster2678This is really sad.

[@ykwtfim]

@@joywebster2678 that’s horrible. I’m so sorry.

[@donaldtrainer7811]

Yes, that surprised me too. Just having a Zoll portable vent would be much better than trying to manually provide respiratory support. Sure, you don't have the ability to do fancy stuff like APRV but it is far better than bagging them.

[@TricksterModeEngaged]

Thank you so much for working up in Fort Smith! The physician shortage in rural areas and up north is no joke

[@ykwtfim]

Well, this video has convinced me to think even more seriously about going into rural medicine. All the time, I see heartbreaking cases online- extremely advanced diseases and injuries that could’ve easily been either prevented or treated before they got to such a debilitating state, and it’s almost always rural areas or otherwise areas where access to healthcare is considered a luxury, as you said. All people deserve quality healthcare, no matter where they live, no matter their income. Thank you so much for the insights and food for thought.

[@andynonymous6769]

4:40 reminds me of something that happened in a really northern canadian town, almost in Nunavut. So I'm a paramedic- one time, a man overdosed on all the drugs he took, started seizing and not coming to consciousness in between seizures. When we got him to the closest hospital, there wasn't a doctor because he only did 12 hour day shifts and was on call overnight. So the nurses followed their protocols and called online medical support. The doctor who picked up was from a big city. I only heard half of the conversation: the doctor said something, and the nurse would reply with, "our hospital can't do that" over and over. The doctor wanted full labs drawn up, the patient to be intubated and ventilated, and some other med given. If the labs were drawn, they would have to be shipped to the closest city for analyzing and wouldn't come back for a week. If the patient was intubated, one of the 2 nurses in the entire town would have to ventilate manually for who knows how long and would leave the hospital 1/2 staffed. And the hospital didn't carry the med that they wanted to give In the end, the nurses sort of ended up putting the plan together for the doctor because he/she kept assuming that the hospital had WAY more capability than it did. The patient couldn't really get much more than overnight observation, which luckily was all he needed: he didn't overdose on anything fatal

[@babysleepysheepyrainbow]

I grew up in rural Arkansas, thankfully we have a small hospital nearby, but it can't really do anything a city hospital could. This video series about rural medicine hits so close to home.

[@truthjusticetheamericanway3066]

In the hills of Missouri here and what he is saying about Remote areas and rural towns are true, Work takes priority over all and the health insurance is not gonna get you the quality medicine and care you want, but if I had an infection, send me some antibiotics or to hell with it and I'll just ignore it an keep going.

[@DaxCyro]

Regarding "One shared electronic medical system". I'm Norwegian myself, and we got the same thing here. No matter where you are in Norway the medical personel has full access to all of your medical data and history. This also includes pharmacies. Thus my doctor can digitally renew or prescribe medicine for me, and all I need to do is show a valid ID at the pharmacy to get it. Even better. If my local pharmacy doesn't have something I need they can look up if nearby pharmacies (even competitors) has the medicine in stock. At the same time I can access and check all of my own medical information online or through app. Even book time or message my doctor through this system. In short. I cannot praise massive digital medical systems enough. No matter the cost it's 100% worth it.

[@safespacebear]

I grew up in a rural community and I miss having a country doctor. Love hearing your comments about your community. It's obvious you have a lot of pride in Ft Smith

[@elainebradley8213]

Thankyou for caring. Im in a Canadian rural area and our medical professionals are truly the best. Not as remote as Fort Smith. It makes me want to see the place.

[@DoctorsSong]

Texico Mike is the MacGyver / Healthcare DIYer. He made his own MRI machine!

[@ferretyluv]

Combination MRI/CT machine!

[@kathleendavidson3316]

You should see the fan on it!

[@squidleyskidley]

This was a really fascinating video, thank you! As an RN, I could see myself retiring in a rural community someday and being one of the few healthcare workers.

[@linebrunelle1004]

a friend, retired RN, landed on rural town and started offering foot care. She has been working at it for 10 years because that service is often overlooked. We live in a scenic part of Canada and as she sets her own schedule, retirement and enjoyment of nature go hand in hand.

[@susie9893]

This is a great thing to do for that community but it also gives an urban GP the opportunity to keep their acute care skills up to date. Should be mandatory imo

[@alysoncovin]

Thanks for sharing your experience! You're amazing

[@DrYanYu]

Thank you! What are some other topics you'd like to see me cover in future videos?

[@kderouen88]

EM doc working in rural north Dakota, about 2 hours from tertiary care. Loved your video; I can’t even imagine not having CT! You’re the man :)

[@melaniemaec1]

Great video..and grateful your healping the indigenous and Métis people so well and with a good heart.❤️

[@s.m.7018]

Heroes are everywhere. And he described several, including himself.

[@Artem_Safarov]

Great work, Yan! Appreciated you taking the time to share these insights. Really comprehensive and concise video - very much enjoyed it!

[@catherinelempke8451]

Awesome seeing this from a Canadian perspective; my mum was a nurse in Rae Edzo, Fort Simpson, and Yellowknife before finally coming to north Vancouver Island. Still small towns, but nothing's quite the same as the "all in this together" feeling that permeates the North. Thanks for what you do!

[@mimmy0193]

This sounds so much like Australian rural medicine.

[@foolishmortal6590]

Sounds a lot better than Australian rural medicine tbh. All those birthing wards closing down in QLD etc. My old hometown is nicknamed ‘gunna die’ because of how much pressure the system is under. I’m also living in a capital city of 100k people, and there’s no cardiothoracic surgeon. Any heart surgeries need to be flown 3000km away.

[@Noblebird02]

Has anyone done rural medicine in Australia?

[@peachieangie]

Not sure how I ended up here, but I'm very glad I did. Thank you very much for your work Dr. Yu, I knew there is a severe shortage of physicians and medical equipment in rural Canada but you really humanized for me not only what you do, but also the unique rural communities you serve in. I hope for one day in the near future where rural Canadians can live a better quality of life (not just in healthcare - but you know, they're very lucky to have you). Great video!!

[@abbunnies9784]

Thank you for being in Alberta and going the extra mile helping out in a rural community. I hope that things for doctors here start improving soon so that the strain on family doctors can start to ease. Once again thank you, and keep up the great work!

[@livewellwitheds6885]

while i currently do not live in a rural area, i was born in one [on a farm. literally born ON the farm] and i absolutely love how the clear respect you have for these kinds of communities.

[@amandalindsay6506]

It’s great to see a doctor from my families home town on here. My family is from fort smith and some still live there

[@shelleyhender8537]

My days of living in the N.W.T. has long past, but my dearest friendships remain. Those of us who grew up in Pine Point, often travelled to all the towns in the NORTH for hockey tournaments, and so many other indigenous games. Our Winter Games are extraordinarily special, as are the people of our Northern communities! You certainly captured a wonderful uniqueness that becomes ever more obvious, as we travel NORTH…People care for, and help out one another, regardless of ethnicity…as is our Canadian way. Our indigenous peoples have been here for millennia and taught us throughout history, how to trade and form so many necessary relationships, so we could continue to thrive! I dearly hope, their time to thrive excels exponentially via reconciliation, education, empathy, and understanding. What makes Canada the beautiful country it is, begins with our unique tapestry of various cultures and ethnicities! Thank you for this video, it’s been a few years since I have been to Fort Smith. You definitely captured the beauty of living in our NORTH! Cheers!🇨🇦

[@muneeb-khan]

I’m astounded this clinic is so well resourced given it’s in the middle of nowhere. Most clinics around the world do not look like that. Super impressed. I hear a lot of news about Canada’s health system but that facility is impressive.

[@tlsrx2000]

Do what you do! I always tell students if you want to do the most - go where there is no money. Interdisciplinary teams, go where there is no money and you will see everyone stretching the limits of their licenses. No time for big egos when you are trying to keep someone healthy. Blessed the work that you do.

[@feldon27]

What a fantastic video. Fort Smith is fortunate to have you.

[@LawnPygmy]

Shit, the integrated EMR is something I wish we had here. I live in one of the largest cities in the US, and I can't see what you had done at a clinic down the street because your clinic doesn't use the same EMR system as mine does. An integrated EMR would be so wonderful.

[@northernAT]

I live in rural nw British Columbia. As a back country recreationalist and volunteer with sar with an interest in the medical side I've been enjoying learning more about our health care system. The podcast EMS 20/20 has been my gateway into the concept of 'system', and I'm now becoming more aware of both the remarkable hospital services we do have, but also the limitations especially as you get even more remote. It's added a new layer of caution and self reliance, and respect for the challenges of our service providers. Thanks for this great video and further glimpse into your world. Appreciate your recognition of all your colleagues at all levels of the hospital.

[@jellyfishattack]

Thank you for helping such a remote community. I thought our tiny health care centre in Ontario was small. It has 3 ventilators, a CT scanner, 28 beds upstairs and an ER. We too have no specialists and the hospital is often staffed by our 7 or 8 family doctors.

[@emmag639]

I so love and appreciate your acknowledgement of the indigenous population. Keep doing what you're doing! It inspires others

[@sbsp13668]

Fellow Canadian here! Thanks so much for what you do. A friend of mine who was a nurse did some work in the Northwest Territories, and she said she experienced some challenges with the Indigenous population being distrustful of her. People like you and my friend are repairing relations with our Indigenous members, which is centuries overdue.

[@UndergroundSquirrelPosse]

Thank you! Great video. I love dr G but I loved your Canadian info woven in even more. Thank you for this and for your good work!

[@capndayafterday]

I love watching doctors react to Dr. Glaucomflecken. Especially the specialist he jokes about. Especially the doctors who have tongue in cheek reactions like: “That’s totally what orthopedic surgeons are like, except me, I know there’s more antibiotics than ancef. It’s just, ancef is the best!” But onto you good sir. How does the rotation work? Are you in Fort Smith a few weeks at a time? A few months? Having never been to Canada, but heard about the winter storms up there, is one doctor assigned to stay all winter because of how far north you are? I’d love to hear how the rotations and how that works. It’d be enlightening to learn about. 😁

[@Cafeallday222]

Thank you for your work. I grew up in a small community in 🍁and I was grateful for our doctors!

[@user-sf9wc1zh9x]

Glad I stumbled on your video! Loved hearing your experience!

[@jeanmills7707]

I’ve been a CHN for many years, now semi-retired and living in INUVIK. I’ve worked in most of the communities of nwt and Nunavut and seen more of the north than many other northerners. I tried living in the south after I retired (the first time, lol) from Pond Inlet and couldn’t stand it. So I took the Quality Risk Manager position for the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta and moved to INUVIK. Now I do short Chn contracts in BD communities and consider inuvik home. I enjoyed your response to dr G’s video.

[@dragons7764]

I'm a big city girl (Toronto) who's always been fascinated by the field of medicine. Very proud of you, a fellow Canadian, who's making such a positive impact serving in our under-resourced far north, especially our Indigenous Peoples! Thank you for sharing your real life perspective alongside Dr. Glaucomflecken's humourous take on rural medicine

[@linebrunelle1004]

you need to travel in Canada. it's amazing and sad how many Canadians have no clue of the size, diversity and wonder our country offers

[@johndurston6792]

Doc, thank you for your unselfish service, Canada needs more health care professionals like you👍🇨🇦

[@zpilot4523]

I miss berros pizza. Did my apprenticeship fixing the jetstreams in smith and was so thankful for you guys when i let my strep get bad

[@ReinholdMessner-k1j]

Kudos! Really admire the dedication and commitment.

[@richardmyhan3369]

So who's your Texaco Mike?? 😂 Seriously though, keep up the good work. Takes a truly selfless person to do rural medicine.

[@maggieramsey2933]

Thanks for the memories! 40 yrs remote and rural midwife (BC & Nunavik)

[@Anniducati]

One of my best friends (fellow nurse) worked in Nunavut for 18 months and inserted an art-line by phone with a physician in Montreal. She tells some wild stories. You’re all heroes and I love the response to Dr G’s super-funny video. I hope he sees it. New follower now.

[@MrOrthodox13]

Question is - how did Dr Glaucomflecken nail all of this? Also, kudos to you and your versatility.

[@marajokegr]

Most thoughtful reaction video I've ever watched. I used to work rural northern Alberta (pharmacy) and I was nodding my head with fond memories.

[@janinebean4276]

Thank you for doing your part for reconciliation! ❤

[@nancynelosn5830]

I live in San Francisco, CA. I loved your video. You are a compassionate, energetic physician. Thank you for all you do for that community.

[@Mmjjap]

You are detailed in your video. Thank you for sharing your experience so we can learn!

[@yoarg]

This was really interesting! Thanks for your perspective.

[@EatRadioWire]

Would you believe I had dinner with Ewan yesterday and this video showed up in my feed this morning? 🤔 "Hi" from YK & thanks for your work in the north. I enjoyed this video!

[@christabedwin]

What a fantastic video! Thank you so much

[@pappajudas9267]

My dad was injured in a hunting accident in rural Alberta in the mid 70's. At the time one doctor would serve several communities rotating from hospital to hospital. So when they showed up at the first hospital with my dad in the back seat of a car with GSW to his lower back the staff directed them to the next hospital where the doctor was on rotation.

[@StacySalles55]

I don’t live in Canada but this was fascinating.

[@DrYanYu]

Thanks! Please share with others who’d be interested!

[@GustavSvard]

Living in a capital city with major university hospitals, this is so far from how I live but I can still appreciate it a lot. One of the best bits of "medical kit" we've gotten here recently is an ICU helicopter that can reach most of Sweden in one go from it's base here in Stockholm (and thus also most of Finland and the Baltic states!). Being able to go for a walk from my office past the building the Nobel Prize for Medicine is decided is cool, knowing there's real medivac options for rural communities up north is way cooler.

[@myraaar]

I have a similar experience as an NP in a northern Ontario fly-in FN community. Love the work because it's incredibly fulfilling... definitely challenges everything you think you know about medicine and makes you more appreciative of things you take for granted (i.e. drinkable water, relative ease of diagnostic tests in the city, or salads)

[@angryface01]

UP TO DATE!!!! We live and breathe this.

[@Melody-k7n]

Thank you for speaking positively of midwives. People need to learn that they are a valuable resource/part of the medical team.

[@andynonymous6769]

I feel iffy about midwives because I don't like when people use them as a replacement for OB GYN's when they have home births. It seems like a huge risk. Also what is the required education for midwifery? Is it standardized?

[@aylan.6212]

@@andynonymous6769 As midwifery is ancient, there are several entry points for midwifery, from lay midwives on up. Requirements vary per state or country, but in US hospitals they are advanced practice nurses, master's or doctorate prepared. They are experts in their field, and do more than deliver babies:)

[@lyrebird9749]

Thank you so much for your work!

[@SuiLagadema]

I had to go to urgent care recently, I had a clean cut in my knee about 5cms in length. I knew I needed medical attention right away, but the urgent care was extremely busy with pediatric patients (winter time here). Beforehand I shoved gauze inside the wound to try and slow the bleeding to no avail. Decided to use my TQ to decrease the blood flow but not enough to cut it and shove the wound with more gauze, when I noticed the bleeding started to subside, I replaced the soaked gauze to shove another one in and keep pressure on it with a bandage, keeping the TQ still. Arrived at urgent care, explained the situation, took my vitals, my BP was completely normal, my HR was at about 75, my RR was 12 and my clothes and hands were stained with blood, not to mention I didn't care about the blood on my leg that was there from the bleeding. I waited 4hrs, and an "Karen" entered demanding treatment immediately for herself and I think the doc had enough, pointed towards me and my bloody mess of a leg and said "He's been waiting here for 4hrs and hasn't said a word since he arrived". Then they called me, clean the wound thoroughly and put 6 stitches. I waited for so long my own body achieved hemostasis, not a single drop of blood when they removed my bandages and, while waiting for the nurse and doc to get everything ready, my 1st year university student took over and I HAD to take a look inside. Found the little bleeder, a small vein that was the main source of the bleeding. It was deep enough to cut through my whole skin and then some, but it was right smack in the middle of the patella, so I couldn't find the tendons (which is good). It also didn't reach the bone so, in a sense, you could say I got lucky. People don't understand urgent care is not "first come first served". A little kid with vomit and diarrhea, who can't keep water in it's a much higher priority than a 34yo dude with a bloody leg, ambulant, aware and yes, a little bit annoyed at the waiting time but hey, my condition was stable in comparison to other patients.

[@karenwokes6596]

I went to Churchill Manitoba to do my senior clinical rotation and stayed for 10 years! I was a city girl never lived in a rural town but I loved the North as soon as I arrived! It was the best decade of my career! One night shift we received 13 separate medivacs from Nunavut (we serviced 5 communities as well as the town of Churchill). I remember a transvers delivery, the woman came in at 6 cm dilated when we discovered the presentation! An OBGYN team was dispatched from Wpg. ( 2 hours away by flight) but they couldn’t get an anesthetist so we actually read a textbook to preform a spinal! This was before we even had internet! I was there from 1990 to 2000. The best time of my life!,

[@ZawZaw-yb3nf]

Grew up in regional/rural Australia, and Dr. G's skits are so accurate. Most of the time, it was at least a 30min Ambulance ride to the nearest hospital, that was understaffed and outdated and that the Doctors, nurses and midwives who delivered you were your lifetime doctors until they retired. When government spending needed to be cut, it was often the regions that would go first. I was fortunate enough to grow in a rural area that still had access to basic facilities close by, it got a lot more accessible as I grew up

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

Thanks for the explanations! I know we had communities that're really isolated but I'd never thought about the logistics of keeping a clinic there before.

[@Narinjas]

You know that in anime you have Slice of Life genre... how about a Rural Medicine Slice of Life anime, with actual medical information, for teaching purposes, while featuring an endearing pair of doctors that are all doing all sorts of stuff in the community, and you have part of the episode focusing on the daily/weekly routine of one of them, and an other part focusing on a hospital case like Dr. HOUSE does... but anime... Rural Medicine...

[@frankwest5388]

That sounds like a great idea. Things that usually wouldn’t be a big deal for a normal sized hospital suddenly become the thing that could possibly happen. Like a car crash with multiple injured. In a big city hospital that’s not a big deal, they have teams around the clock for this kinda stuff. But if you only have 3 doctors and 10 people needing emergency surgery at once, is like the worst possible outcome. Maybe the MC could be an experienced big city surgeon, who now switches to do family medicine, because he replaces a friend at the hospital for a year or two and he now must deal with the massively reduced amount of resources at his disposal. And one of the other doctors could be a resident that freshly graduated and now must learn to hide his insecurity from being new. This could really work.

[@drsgopi]

kudos to you, Dr Yu!

[@Triisane]

This was fantastic! Currently studying abroad in ireland but im thinking of doing rural medicine when I come back for matching.

[@brendasears9650]

Very much enjoyed and learned a lot from your vid. Thanks for being an awesome human!!

[@roscoemccoy8383]

The TV show SkyMed on Paramount+ depicts the lack of medical resources in rural Canada, also the needs of indigenous populations.

[@Noblebird02]

Would love to watch it.

[@rachelm.keyser4902]

Great job Doc. As a Healthcare Profsl this is very informative indeed

[@jenstokes1565]

Same situation in rural and outback Australia 🇦🇺

[@karenk2409]

My excellent obstetrician 50 years ago left his lucrative practice in Alexandria, VA to go to rural West Virginia. He was sick of HMOs and the high cost of medical insurance and group practice. He told me what he loved to do was deliver babies and take care of mothers. He went to a place where they LOVED him. Some people are born to be Marcus Welby, thank God. I live in rural Virginia, and I can attest to the many hats everyone wears. The science teacher is the Scout leader, the local pharmacist is on the Board of Supervisors, the Historical Society is headed by a retired Navy officer and staffed by retired teacher volunteers. That's what community looks like, folks.

[@misskitty2133]

Hey doc! Your video popped up in my feed & as medicine interests me I thought I’d take a look. We’ll just subscribed! I loved this one! Will catch up on your stuff & can’t wait for new news. Best to you & thanks for what you do!

[@TheNeckzombie]

I came to watch a reaction video. I left wanting to move to Fort Smith Canada. Thanks, nice video.

[@law7326]

Bless you Dr. Yu!

[@A.L.75]

this is so informative and I am Canadian. Thank you! 🇨🇦

[@firedogman2280]

I think the main difference is that the rural doctor in the short is in the american south, probably texas or Louisiana

[@cobra646]

Back in 2010 I was flying in a small aircraft with a friend who became very ill. We made a diversion landing into Fort Smith. My friend went to this health facility and ended up being admitted for one week! The doctor who took care of him was a very kind and patient lady, probably in her mid seventies or so. Her husband was also in Ft Smith for this rotation, so he and I did all sorts of things around town, saw the rivers and wildlife, met people around town and got the airplane ready to eventually leave. It was an adventure I'll never forget!. I remember a hotel/restaurant in town (only one probably?) had a very delicious hamburger.

[@linebrunelle1004]

Most Canadians have NO IDEA of how far and remote, stretched out and vast our country is because they are focused on the States or their tiny part of the city. TRAVEL INSIDE OUR COUNTRY. Thank you to all our dedicated health care professionals

[@joelvandermeulen2706]

UpToDate and Orthobullets is equivalent to half a medical degree :) I’ve always wanted to practice somewhere with snow and moose’s. Grew up watching Northern Exposure in the 90’s.