Whether at home or abroad, healthcare workers are constantly encountering patients and colleagues of varied and sometimes unfamiliar backgrounds, requiring continual growth in their cultural humility, language equity, and resourcefulness in collaboration. Join us as we learn from the unique first-hand experience that Dr. Lisa Camara and Christopher Chow have had in the Seafarer’s Medical Clinic, a Honolulu-based outreach that serves fishermen in need of healthcare when their ships dock to deliver their catches.

Get CME/MOC credit for listening here!

Show Notes
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Learning Objectives:
  1. Define cultural competence and cultural humility, and contrast the two concepts.
  2. Apply the strategies of the guests’ unique clinical model to one’s own local underserved patient populations and healthcare system.  
  3. Strategize how to find and collaborate with local community groups and non-profit organizations in one's region to improve patients' access to healthcare.

[00:00-02:46] Introduction of Co-Hosts and Episode Topic
  • Dr. Pooja Jaeel and Dr. Maggie Kozman introduce the episode, focusing on the intersection of immigrant health and global health.
  • The episode aims to explore a unique clinical model serving immigrant fishermen in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and extract strategies applicable to various clinical practices and communities worldwide.

[02:47-05:15] Step in Your Shoes Segment
  • Dr. Lisa Camara shares her journey into running, a passion she discovered after having her children, highlighting its benefits for mental and physical health.
  • Christopher Chow discusses his love for poke, a raw fish dish that symbolizes Hawai’i's cultural diversity, and his appreciation for the rich food culture in Hawai’i.

[05:16-13:56] Introduction to the Seafarer’s Clinic
  • Christopher Chow explains the founding of the Seafarer’s Medical Clinic in 2016 by Waipio Baptist Church to serve immigrant fishermen in Honolulu Harbor.
  • The clinic operates directly on the pier using portable equipment like folding tables and chairs, as the fishermen are restricted from leaving the pier area due to their unique immigration status.
  • The clinic provides essential medical services, focusing on the healthcare needs of the fishermen who spend extended periods at sea and face significant barriers to accessing healthcare.

[13:57-18:30] Medical Services & Challenges
  • Dr. Lisa Camara describes the range of medical services offered, including blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and musculoskeletal assessments.
  • The clinic has recently expanded to include vision testing services provided by a volunteer organization.
  • Challenges include limited resources, the absence of a permanent structure, and language barriers. The critical role of volunteer translators, who also act as cultural liaisons, is highlighted.

[18:31-28:35] Building Trust and Cultural Humility
  • Christopher Chow emphasizes the importance of time, sincerity, and an open mind in building trust with the fishermen.
  • Initial assessment forms are used to understand the fishermen’s backgrounds, health perceptions, and previous healthcare experiences.
  • Dr. Camara and the co-hosts discuss the continuous learning process required to serve diverse populations effectively and the importance of self-reflection to identify and address biases.

[28:36-33:38] Global Health Education and Decolonization
  • Introduction to the GHEARD curriculum (Global Health Education for Equity, Anti-Racism, and Decolonization), developed by AAP and other organizations.
  • Maggie Kozman shares her experience with the Beta-testing of the curriculum and its impact on her global health efforts.
  • Mention of AAP's virtual reality training module on Equity and Anti-Racism in Global Healthcare, which provides additional training resources for healthcare professionals.

[33:39-40:16] Community Connections and Partnerships
  • The clinic builds partnerships with local community groups and nonprofits through word of mouth and leveraging existing networks.
  • Collaboration with the Long Line Fishermen Association for access to the pier and supporting health initiatives like COVID-19 vaccinations and hepatitis screenings.
  • Emphasis on continuous relationship building, providing evidence of the clinic’s impact, and maintaining partnerships to support the clinic's efforts.

[40:17-44:42] Volunteer Training and Organization
  • Structured training program for student volunteers, progressing through roles like pharmacy, vitals, and scribing to build their skills and knowledge.
  • Senior volunteers, often transitioning to medical school, form a council that drives educational components and social activities for new volunteers.
  • The importance of safety, supervision by physicians, and the significant impact of hands-on experience on pre-health students' motivation and career paths is discussed.

[44:43-48:51] Closing Remarks and Takeaways
  • Dr. Lisa Camara reflects on the refreshing and invigorating experience of providing holistic healthcare, reconnecting with the core passion for medicine.
  • Christopher Chow highlights the importance of building relationships with patients and the motivating aspect of direct patient care for pre-health students.
  • The episode concludes with an invitation to listeners to join the discussion online, share their experiences, and engage with the podcast community.

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Disclaimer: The DEI Shift podcast and its guests provide general information and entertainment, but not medical advice. Before making any changes to your medical treatment or execution of your treatment plan, please consult with your doctor or personal medical team. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by The DEI Shift. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by The DEI Shift team are those of each individual and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the DEI Shift team and its guests, employers, sponsors, or organizations we are affiliated with.

The DEI Shift podcast is proudly sponsored by the American College of Physicians, Southern California, Region 3 Chapter. 

Our theme music is brought to you by Chris Dingman. Learn more at www.chrisdingman.com.

*Unless specifically stated otherwise, The DEI Shift does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The DEI Shift assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. 

Use of “Provider”
One of our guests uses the term “provider” to refer to their clinic’s physicians. Though this term is used interchangeably by many in the medical community, The DEI Shift podcast team endorses and supports the use of “physician” in place of “provider” where applicable, as outlined in ACP policy. For more information, please refer to this article: ACP stance on using the term Physician instead of Provider

Credits:
Guest: Dr. Lisa Camara, Christopher Chow
Co-Hosts/Co-Executive Producers: Dr. Pooja Jaeel, Dr. Maggie Kozman
Executive Producer: Dr. Tammy Lin
Associate Producer: Dr. Candace Sprott
Senior Producer: Dr. Dirk Gaines
Editor/Assistant Producer: Joanna Jain
Production Assistant: Ann Truong
Website/Art Design: Ann Truong
Music: Chris Dingman https://www.chrisdingman.com

Resources:
GHEARD Curriculum (free)
https://www.aap.org/en/aap-global/what-we-do/programs/global-health-education-for-equity-anti-racism-and-decolonization-gheard/

AAP Virtual Reality Training Module on Equity and Anti-Racism in Global Healthcare (for purchase)
https://shop.aap.org/equity-anti-racism-in-global-healthcare/

Disclaimer

.The DEI Shift podcast and its guests provide general information and entertainment, but not medical advice. Before making any changes to your medical treatment or execution of your treatment plan, please consult with your doctor or personal medical team. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by The DEI Shift. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by The DEI Shift team are those of each individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The DEI Shift team and its guests, employers, sponsors, or organizations we are affiliated with.