Interest in global health among surgical residents and medical students is growing.
There are numerous opportunities worldwide for both short- and long-term experiences.
In order to maximize the learning potential, the authors present a practical guide
for residents and students to prepare for a surgical visit, elective, rotation, or
mission to an underserved region. The following steps will be outlined:
- A.Preparations
- 1.Determine why, where, and for how long you can go
- 2.Consult your program director or medical student advisor to choose a country and site, establish goals and connections, and plan a budget and adequate financing for the trip
- 3.Prepare items to bring along: these include personal items, personal medical equipment and any items to donate after enquiry with the host facility
- 4.Be a smart traveler: Arrange visas, vaccinations, flight arrangements, diet, water, living, and travel arrangements
- 1.
- B.The visitor's role at the hosting facility
- 5.Ensure that adequate clinical supervision is available
- 6.Remember that local training programs take priority
- 7.Work within the local system(s) and protocols
- 8.Take care of your own health
- 9.Maintain a surgical case log (end of each day)
- 10.Consider opportunities for using/establishing blogs or mass e-mail
- 5.
- C.Activities after your return
- 11.Continue communication with hosts after your experience
- 12.Provide a written summary to your sponsor(s)
- 13.Share your experiences through different mediums (acknowledge and, when possible, include international colleagues in your reports)
- 14.Volunteer as an advisor to residents and students who wish to follow you (via Residency Program Director or Dean of Students)
- 11.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 1,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
