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Health Electives (health + elective)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Peace-building through an international child health elective

MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 11 2005
Shannon Wires
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

International health electives: thematic results of student and professional interviews

MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 7 2010
Andrew Petrosoniak
Medical Education 2010: 44: 683,689 Objectives, The purpose of this study was to explore the complexities (including harms and benefits) of international health electives (IHEs) involving medical trainees. This exploration contributes to the ongoing debate about the goals and implications of IHEs for medical trainees. Methods, This qualitative study used anonymous, one-to-one, semi-structured interviews. All participants had previous international health experiences. Between September 2007 and March 2008, we interviewed a convenience sample of health care professionals (n = 10) and medical trainees (n = 10). Using a modified grounded theory methodology, we carried out cycles of data analysis in conjunction with data collection in an iterative and constant comparison process. The study's thematic structure was finalised when theme saturation was achieved. Results, Participants described IHEs in both negative and positive terms. IHEs were described as unsustained short-term contributions that lacked clear educational objectives and failed to address local community needs. Ethical dilemmas were described as IHE challenges. Participants reflected that many IHEs included aspects of medical tourism and the majority of participants described the IHE in negative terms. However, a few participants acknowledged the benefits of the IHE. Specifically, it was seen as an introduction to a career in global health and as a potential foundation for more sustainable projects with positive host community impacts. Finally, despite similar understandings among participants, self-awareness of medical tourism was low. Conclusions, International health electives may include potential harms and benefits for both the trainee and the host community. Educational institutions should encourage and support structured IHEs for trainee participation. We recommend that faculties of medicine and global health educators establish pre-departure training courses for trainees and that IHE opportunities have sufficient structures in place to mitigate the negative effects of medical tourism. We also recommend that trainees be provided with opportunities to conduct self-reflection and critically assess their IHE experiences. [source]

14 The Use of Medical Simulation to Enhance the Clinical Exposure to International Emergency Medicine

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2008
David Bouslough
Study Objectives:, Increasing numbers of immigrants and returned travelers use emergency departments for health care. Many physicians-in-training are interested in participating in health electives abroad, yet residency curricula generally address global health inadequately. Advanced medical simulation (SIM) is an educational modality used to artificially re-create clinical experiences. Authors explored the application of SIM and standardized patient encounters to teach emergency medicine residents select topics in tropical medicine, public health, and decision-making in varied-resource settings. Methods:, International Emergency Medicine (IEM) faculty created four case scenarios interspersed into the established residency simulation curriculum. Moulaged manikins and standardized patients in immersive IEM clinical settings provided history and physical exam cues to learners during the following clinical encounters: - "Tent-side" mobile clinic, East Africa: "Dizzy" pregnant patient (Hookworm). - Rural health clinic, Southeast Asia: Infant with "altered mental status" (Dengue). - Emergency department, North America: Central American immigrant with "dyspnea" (Chagas). - Emergency department, North America: Returned traveler from East Africa with "fever" (Typhoid). Post-scenario debriefings addressed unique elements of IEM including [source]