During a month clinical elective at Theptarin Hospital, I will gain exposure to the practice of endocrinology in Thailand, learn about public health efforts to address the growing prevalence of diabetes in the developing world, and begin building an international network of potential future collaborators. 

Theptarin Hospital, located in Bangkok. is an endocrinology speciality hospital that aims to be the leader in diabetes prevention in Thailand. In addition to providing diabetes care, the hospital is a regional endocrinology referral center, and I will have the opportunity to treat patients with varied endocrine pathologies. While I expand my clinical knowledge base, I will also gain insights about how medical information, preventative strategies, and the treatment plans can be most effectively communicated within the Thai cultural context. 

In addition to providing clinical care, Theptarin endocrinologists lead several government-supported public health projects to educate the population about diabetes prevention and risk reduction. During my rotation, I hope to learn more about and perhaps participate in these public health efforts.

My time at Theptarin will also serve as an opportunity to develop relationships with endocrinologists throughout Southeast Asia. Theptarin is a World Diabetes Foundation center of excellence and is a training site for providers from Laos and Vietnam. Working with physicians from across Southeast Asia, I will have the oppotunity to meet regional leaders in endocrinology and begin to build relationships with local providers that may lead to future collaboration.