Global Health Elective

A Global Health Experience - Course Number MDC 9070A

A global health experience to enhance awareness of international issues relevant to health, exposure to other languages and cultures, and knowledge of other health care systems

Global Health Electives will be offered in several countries and will follow the guidelines outlined below. Some countries may offer some unique experiences and these will be determined on a case-by-case basis. For example, for some students, Medical Spanish would become a primary goal in the international rotations. Others may like to learn about international research collaborations, etc.

Eligible participants

This course is open to 3rd and 4th-year medical students.

Experiential Component (Clinical)

This includes working in primary care clinics, hospitals, and community settings under the supervision of a physician. Students will assess the cultural and environmental context in which patients present and elicit the needed information on the subject’s medical, social, and personal condition; make or update a diagnosis; decide and apply interventions; properly record information on the encounter. After the clinical time, a case discussion will be held with the supervisor.

Scholarly Project (Review Project or Case Presentation Project)

At the beginning of the elective, the student will agree with the mentor on a scholarly project. The project could involve a case presentation or a literature review, 4-6 pages, double spaced. The case presentation, besides the standard sections, should include a discussion of global health issues affecting the presentation, treatment, and prognosis of the case. The literature review must deal with a subject relevant to Global Health in the specific region chosen for the elective. It can also include contrasts and comparisons between the US and the host country’s health care systems and lessons learned that can be applied here. In order to receive credit, students will also be required to complete a student feedback form about their learning experience at the global health site.

Objectives

Those of the regular clinical outpatient training for medical students includes enhancing the six core competencies of patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning & improvement, professionalism, interpersonal & communication skills, and systems-based practice.
Enhancing cultural sensitivity and competence in medical students.
Encouraging these students to consider global health careers or practice in communities where there is a shortage of linguistically competent providers.

Evaluation

The Evaluation will follow the general parameters in use at the school. The student will carry the “Evaluation Form” abroad (available from Registrar) and request their on-site supervisor to complete the form. The student will return the completed “Evaluation Form” to the Office of Global Health with a final version of the scholarly project.

Dr. Karen Lin will use (1) the evaluation that the on-site supervisor provided and (2) an evaluation of the scholarly project, to complete the RWJ evaluation grade form. This grade will be submitted by the Office of Global Health to the Registrar’s Office on the student’s behalf.

  • Attendance
  • Knowledge
  • Rapport /Communication /Professionalism
  • Scholarly project