Global Health
LOCATION: International Location
PRECEPTOR: Melanie Fisher, M.D., M.Sc. Director, Global Health Program
Rebecca Reece, M.D., Associate Director Global Health Program
DURATION: 4 weeks
OFFERED: Selected months: usually February and April
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 20-25 students (WVU Students Only)
STATUS: Elective
Objectives
- To provide fourth year medical students with experience in the practice of medicine in an global setting.
- To introduce medical students to important global health issues.
- To prepare students for global travel.
Students taking this elective will spend one month in a WVU-affiliated overseas hospital or clinic. Students in the Global Health Track will have the option of spending two 4 week rotations on a global health site. Sites currently include Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Oman, Paraguay, Spain and Uganda. Medical faculty serve as preceptors at the site during the 4 week rotation. Students can also choose to participate in a virtual global health rotations through VSLO (Visiting Student Learning Opportunity). Any student taking the elective must be in good academic and professional standing.
Methods to Achieve Objectives
The student will attend clinics/and/or hospital rounds at the site, as well as small group teaching sessions. To prepare for their elective abroad, students are required to do the following:
- Attend a MANDATORY "mini-course" (usually 2-3 hours long) at WVU, Morgantown, early in their fourth year to cover important aspects of global health and travel medicine.
- Write a 2-3 page paper on a medical or public health problem in the country to which they will travel.
- Attend a MANDATORY meeting with the GHP Director and Program Coordinator the month prior to their departure.
Examination Procedures and Evaluation Criteria
Daily observation at the site by the faculty mentor and a short paper on an international topic (e.g., disease prevention, nutrition and infectious diseases, immunization practices and strategies). Upon completion of the rotation, students must complete an evaluation of the rotation as well as a brief paper reflecting on their experience at the clinic or hospital abroad (1-2 pages).
Pre-Rotation Instructions
On the first day report to: Site to be pre-arranged.