In the early days, he helped set up a rural health program in eastern Uganda. For many, the overwhelming problems in the developing world can be daunting, seemingly insurmountable. But you can make a difference, says Dr. Kipp, pointing out that the rural health programs he helped to set up in eastern Uganda are still running. It became apparent to Dr. Grundy that determining whether he was having an impact couldn't be assessed in a strictly quantitative way. If we contribute one thing, that's one more thing that might not have occurred.
Teaching works both ways, however.
Angelova, for example, says the doctor-patient relationship in Brazil is much more intimate, much closer. Touch is important, and is an important part of the healing process, she says, pointing out that the doctor-patient relationship in Canada seems remote and distant by comparison. She plans to model her own behaviour on the South-American example. It certainly made me think carefully about the wisdom of making assumptions about what they need. Angelova was impressed with the warmth and joy in the Brazilians' lives despite the absence of material wealth.