Locum Tenen Radiologists

http://www.locum-tenens-radiologist.com/ — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 09:02:43 -0700

Eastern Bay News: Whakatane 'can be proud'

Whakatane people have every right to be proud of their hospital. That's the opinion of American pediatrician Dr. John Trumper who's been working in the local children's ward for the past three months. In fact it's the third year in a row that Dr. Trumper's worked as a locum at Whakatane hospital and he says the level of care and competence there is as good as - if not better than- than found in similar-sized hospitals in the States.

"The hospital handles much more complex cases than small hospitals in the States where patients are much more quickly shipped to a tertiary care centre. It's a much more pleasant system to work under and what makes it so interesting in Whakatane is that it's rather like a mini United Nations with well-trained people from all over the world on staff. The pediatricians I've worked with here are very competent and up to date; they're very capable people as well as being very pleasant to work with."

Dr. Trumper knows what he's talking about because although he was in private practice in Vermont for thirty-five years before retiring five years ago, he's also worked in many other countries including Russia and South America, as well as having three years' experience working on Indian reservations in the States. "It's been very interesting to compare the Native Americans with the Maori and I have to say the Maori have been much more successful in maintaining their culture, their language, their traditions, and their pride. Generally speaking the Native Americans on most of the reservations are having to re-learn their language and customs and they just don't have the same pride in who they are."

Dr. Trumper did his first three-month locum at Whakatane Hospital in the year 2000 and he and his wife, Nina, also came back also year for three months. "We've made lots of friends over here and it was really like coming back home this time."

Although also retired now, Dr. Trumper's wife was one of the first nurse practitioners in Vermont. Nurse practitioners were initially introduced in the States because of a doctor shortage but they've now become well established in that country. They carry out primary care just like a general practitioner and have the authority to write out prescriptions just like a physician.

While in New Zealand last year Nina learnt to play golf, a hobby her husband doesn't share, but the couple are both keen trampers. They've explored all the walks around Whakatane and Ohope and a couple of weekends ago covered some of the tracks ant Lake Waikeremoana.

This week is Dr. Trumper's final week at Whakatane Hospital and then he and his wife have plans to see some more of New Zealand before they fly home. Dr. Trumper also wants to attend a pediatric conference in Tauranga at the end of this month. He says New Zealand children suffer similar health problems to their American counterparts although there's a greater variety of illnesses here.

"I've seen stuff here that's very rare in the United States, for example meningococcal disease. That's the kind of thing we only see one case of every couple of years in Vermont whereas for some reason New Zealand has a higher incidence of it than most other developed countries. No-one knows why it's so endemic here but fortunately most cases are very successfully treated."

Talking of children, the Trumpers have ten grandchildren who'll no doubt be very glad to see them again when they return to the States next month. And will they be back in Whakatane the same time next year? Dr. Trumper is not too sure. "Perhaps, but only if I can just work days! Much as I like it here, at my age I've decided I really don't want to work nights any more."