The practice of medicine must take into account cultural differences between people from different background, even within the same country. It is common knowledge that people of different ethnic, financial and educational backgrounds have different concepts of disease, sickness and healing. They react differently to their conditions and to their doctors. The doctor-patient relationship is most effective when both parties are on the same page – and, figuratively, speaking the same language.

The potential market for the RHI includes single hospitals and healthcare corporations of various sizes. Participating hospitals will experience a reduction in physician turnover, a greater degree of continuity of care and more effective doctor-patient relationships. All of these combine to create a better delivery of service and lowered healthcare costs. Most staffing issues can be resolved in less time and for lower cost than previously imagined.

The market for the UPI is not as clearly defined since it is basically a humanitarian effort. We know that there are hospitals in urban areas that are having trouble with physician staffing. It is likely that these are the hospitals that would most directly benefit from the UPI. Of course the benefit for the students in the program and their families is undeniable. Furthermore, it can be argued that sponsors, whether a gracious 3rd party or the urban hospital itself, will also have some benefit from the project in the form of publicity, community awareness and name recognition.

Please do remember that these are basic descriptions of simple programs. Both the UPI and the RHI can be customized as required by the specific application. The low levels of complexity assure that there is very little to go wrong during the course of the project. Management is easy and the results are extremely predictable.