Practical Tips for Working as an Expedition Doctor on High-Altitude Expeditions

Diploma in Mountain Medicine: A Perspective of a Female Doctor from Nepal

Poudel, Sangeeta. Diploma in mountain medicine: a perspective of a female doctor from Nepal. High Alt Med Biol. 22:417-419, 2021.-Mountaineering is an alluring recreation receiving increasing global attention. With increasing adventure activities in the mountain, the risk of mishaps is high. Each year many trekkers, athletes, pilgrims, and porters are significantly affected and some even lose their lives due to a lack of knowledge in identification and management of altitude illness and other traumatic injuries. The diploma in mountain medicine (DiMM) trains participants in high-altitude environments to access area safety, diagnose, treat, and evacuate victims using available resources, improvised techniques, and rope skills. Doctors willing to work in the wilderness have to work in austere medical clinics, participate in search and rescues, volunteer at sporting events, or work on an expedition often being the only available doctor. Despite challenges, mountain doctors work in the wilderness as a hobby and some make a career of it, as in certain countries mountain medicine is now recognized as a subspeciality. As it becomes more accessible, the mountain medicine course is becoming increasingly popular, with the course in Nepal being no exception. It is developed as a specialty in developed countries, whereas in developing countries it will soon reach maturity. This is a personal report of a young female doctor taking part in a DiMM course in 2019 from Nepal.