Modernizing the Armenian Healthcare System
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The Wigmore Experience |  |
Updated August 18, 2024
Armenia still has 1 foot in the Soviet system Which arguably limits progress and development in several areas. Examples of the paternalistic system include continued addressing of colleagues by (your father's name)-ich and the inclusion of father's name when a patient is identified in their healthcare Billing program. The Soviet thinking that got us to this point is not the thinking that will carry us through the coming century.
The educational system currently in place as fostered a pedagogical approach, where students listen and record what is taught, but do not question or discuss. The medical school system is based on a moneymaking model where students supply funding through tuition (and possibly bribes?) But are not provided clinical practice, cadaver labs, proper equipment. In short, the current healthcare system ought to be replaced. Much effort has been expended in specialty clinics through Diaspora efforts, but it is recognized that a solid primary care/family practice/general medicine structure makes the most sense at this time.
This project aims to increase Western influence in Armenia's healthcare system by increasing ties and relationships to Western institutions. An example of the success is the formal relationship between American University of Armenia and the University of California system.We need to increase the core number of people who understand that a new way of thinking is needed.
What are examples of this new thinking? The notion that the patient could should come first or that students should question their teacher is revolutionary.
The Wigmore clinic in Yerevan has been led by physicians who had opportunity to train in the West. However these positions, now 30 years later, Are nearing retirement in a new generation must be cultivated. The clinic has established formal ties with institutions in the US creating the possibility of student, resident and possibly postgraduate exchange programs. Current relationships are in place with:
- Valley Children's Hospital In California
- San Francisco General Hospital and Operation Rainbow
- Bassett clinic in New York State
While Wigmore aims to change a medicine is applied in Armenia, some of the efforts have been viewed as outsiders upsetting the apple cart.
Proper medical and nursing Education is sorely needed. (CME institutions in the US are recognizing the need for interdisciplinary education, planned and delivered by interdisciplinary teams). Wigmore has instituted a training program by which sponsored pre-needs are sent from Armenia to the US. The only 2 requirements are that they speak English and to do not smoke.
Editor's note: Wigmore has associations with UCSF and with Valley Children's Hospital (which is in turn affiliated with Stanford University school of medicine). Whether Sutter health is a viable partner remains to be seen. Meanwhile we have colleagues affiliated with universities throughout the US. And once we have a working model that could be replicated abroad, we have colleagues affiliated with universities worldwide.