Summary

Shenyang, in northeastern China, is home to one of that country's first family medicine residencies. Visiting medical students and residents assist an American family physician and Chinese residents from the Chinese Medical University in serving the medical needs of local citizens. Medical care is provided at two urban outpatient clinics, a 100-child orphanage, and several rural sites in nearby areas.

Visitors serving with LIGHT will be able to communicate adequately in English, given that all the LIGHT physicians speak English, as does most of the staff. In addition to medical service, visitors to Shenyang can enjoy its numerous famous attractions, including the Imperial Palace, Zhao Ling Tomb, Fu Ling Tomb, the Water Caves, a botanical garden, and several scenic mountain sites.

Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning Province, lies in the northeastern part of China, just northeast of Beijing and close to Korea, Mongolia and Russia. Shenyang is a famous heavy industrial city, and is also the economical and cultural center of the northeast area and a hub of communication.

Shenyang has four distinct seasons. Spring last from February through May, with average temperature in the 50s F. There are sand storms in the spring because the wind blows through the open soil that has not been covered by grass due to the cold. Summer is from May through August (temperature 80s or low 90s F). Autumn lasts from August through October (temperature in 50s F), and winter from November through February (temperature in 20s or 30s F). Shenyang's winter is one of the coldest compared to other cities in China.

Numerous airlines fly into Shenyang, but most require a connection in Beijing. Most people coming from the US take Korean airlines because of low price (Shenyang is close to Korea), and the flights do not require a connection in Beijing. Personnel from LIGHT will pick up arriving visitors at the airport.

Once approved to work with LIGHT, the staff will advise applicants on obtaining the correct visa and completing the appropriate registrations after arrival in China.

Please check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date information: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm. Attention should be especially made to toward vaccination against Hepatitis A & B. The approximate cost is $100.

Please check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx, and consult with your physician before traveling. Hepatitis A and B vaccinations must be up to date. Also recommended is Japanese encephalitis vaccine for those coming more than four weeks during May through October. This vaccine can be obtained at the LIGHT clinic in China.

Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel advisories: http://www.state.gov/travel. Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding country specific travel information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html

Local Chinese patients served by LIGHT are normally of very low income. China's medical insurance system is largely tied to employment. Those who are unemployed usually do not qualify for medical insurance, leading to delays in seeking medical attention. Common diseases are those typical of primary care, including hypertension, hepatitis, diabetes, and occasionally TB.

Patients are seen in an urban clinic for foreigners, an urban clinic for nationals, rural clinics, orphanages, and nursing homes. Each setting offers an age-specific set of primary care problems. Primary medical care is a new and pioneering service in China. Therefore, large numbers of patients are not seen. Those attended quality whole-person care and excellent physician training in each patient encounter.

The local language is Mandarin Chinese. However, all the physicians speak English, as does most of the staff. Visitors will be able to communicate adequately using English alone.

The primary mission of LIGHT, Liaoning International General Health Trainers, is to train Chinese resident physicians in family medicine. Please visit the LIGHT website: http://www.lightshenyang.com. The 4-5 residents in the Family Practice training program see patients at two outpatient clinics. The Deji Hospital Global Doctor Clinic mainly serves international persons working in China. Image International Clinic mainly serves the local Chinese people. LIGHT also serves the medical needs of a 100-child orphanage and staffs rural clinics each week in the surrounding cities. LIGHT works in cooperation with the Chinese Medical University (CMU) Family Practice Department.

The medication formulary changes depending on the practice location. In this humanitarian medical work the formulary is limited to donated supplies and the purchase of local medicines from donated funds. The formulary in the urban clinics is not much different from family practice clinics in the US.

LIGHT is lead by Peter Burgos, MD. Dr. Burgos is a 1991 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1991. He completed a family medicine residency at St Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas in 1994. The staff includes both Chinese and American doctors and nurses.

http://www.lightshenyang.com

Medical students and residents are welcome to participate in all activities of LIGHT. Most patient care is in the outpatient setting, with very limited inpatient opportunities at this time. The patient care load in clinics tends to be light. In addition to medical care, visitors may be invited to teach medical English and to participate in medical conferences.

Students should expect to have a high level of autonomy. Students must be self-starters and take the responsibility on themselves to make the most of their experience. They will spend the first week visiting the different avenues of the work. Then, students select their own area of focus - such as orphanages or urban clinics - where they choose to spend most of their time. Students are also encouraged to attend the lectures for the Chinese Family Practice Residents ("academic afternoon") held twice a week.

Students are usually housed in the homes of LIGHT foreign staff, depending on availability. Local hotels are also available for $15-40 per night. The official currency in China is RMB, the Renminbi. US dollars and most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and certain restaurants and shops. Outside of these, however, this is a cash society. Traveler?s checks are not recognized in many places, and cash may yield a more favorable exchange rate. Using a Visa check card to withdraw money from an ATM is the best way to obtain money in Shenyang.

Internet Caf?s are available for a low cost. All of China is within one time zone, and is 13-14 hours ahead of Central Time in the U.S., depending on Daylight Savings. The telephone Area Code for Shenyang City is 024.

Shenyang was the capital of the Qing Dynasty from 1625 until 1644. Its numerous attractions include the Imperial Palace, Zhao Ling Tomb (North Tomb), Fu Ling Tomb (East Tomb), the Water Caves, a botanical garden, a wild animal park and several scenic mountain sites.

INMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to donate to support the facility. This is not required but allows INMED participants to become involved in every aspect of medical missions.

Medical personnel should bring a white coat for work. Slacks, but not jeans, are acceptable for both men and women to wear to clinic; men rarely wear ties.

Travelers should pack a carry-on bag with essentials, including a change of clothes, just in case checked luggage becomes lost. Also, it's usually best to bring two suitcases, each half full, to allow space to pack souvenirs for the return trip. Bring clothes appropriate for the weather.

If travel is to include flights on a China domestic airline, be advised that the free luggage weight limitation is normally less that than allowed on international flights. The usual limitation on domestic airlines is 20 kg or 44 pounds per ticketed passenger.

Electrical power is 220 volts in China, so bring a voltage converter for appliances that require 110 volts only. For expensive items, like computers or projectors, it is advised to bring along the purchase receipt for proof of ownership to customs officials.

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