Elective in International Medicine. 4 Credit Hours

Catalog description

This elective serves as a vehicle for students to participate in international medicine rotations. Students will work with a faculty sponsor to identify a program, either a pre-established site or a site discovered by the student which requires faculty approval. This elective includes: 1) The Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics International Scholars Program in India, a competitive program requiring a separate application through the department of Medicine, 2) Shoulder to Shoulder program in Latin America, which requires a separate application process and some cost (airfare and small project fee), and is available October, January, and April, 3) Programs in Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, and Guatemala, and 4) Other sites available through online directory: http://www.globalhealth-cc.org/GHEC/Resources/GHonline.htm. All rotations share a commitment to service learning - medical education and self-reflection that arises out of service to needy populations. Students spend up to 4 weeks (or possibly longer) living in an international site and participating in the care of patients, under the supervision of local and visiting health care providers. The clinical settings and caseload will vary based on the location. There may be opportunities for patient education and emphasis on efforts of local empowerment, aiming to build up the communities in a sustainable way. Students will be expected to integrate themselves into the health care delivery system, and when possible, to strive to make an impact through community education and home visits. For certain Latin American sites, fluency in Spanish is a prerequisite. Students are encouraged to seek similar service learning experiences with underprivileged populations in San Antonio and Border communities prior to or after the rotation. End of rotation "reflection essays" are required and will serve to process student experiences.