Where There Is No Doctor 2011
4. KNOW YOUR OWN LIMITS.
No matter how great or small your
knowledge and skills, you can do a good
job as long as you know and work within
your limits. This means: Do what you
know how to do. Do not try things you
have not learned about or have not had
enough experience doing, if they might
harm or endanger someone.
But use your judgment.
Often, what you decide to do or not
do will depend on how far you have to go
to get more expert help.
For example, a mother has just given
birth and is bleeding more than you think
is normal. If you are only half an hour
away from a medical center, it may be
wise to take her there right away. But
if the mother is bleeding very heavily
and you are a long way from the health
KNOW YOUR LIMITS.
center, you may decide to massage her womb (see p. 265) or inject a medicine to
control bleeding (see p. 266) even if you were not taught this.
Do not take unnecessary chances. But when the danger is clearly greater if you
do nothing, do not be afraid to try something you feel reasonably sure will help.
Know your limits—but also use your head. Always do your best to protect the
sick person rather than yourself.
KEEP LEARNING—Do not let
anyone tell you there are things
you should not learn or know.
5. KEEP LEARNING.
Use every chance you have to learn more.
Study whatever books or information you
can lay your hands on that will help you be a
better worker, teacher, or person.
Always be ready to ask questions of
doctors, sanitation officers, agriculture
experts, or anyone else you can learn from.
Never pass up the chance to take refresher
courses or get additional training.
Your first job is to teach, and unless you
keep learning more, soon you will not have
anything new to teach others.
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