International Elective Rotation

Residents are able to go global with their training during a four-week elective international rotation.

Overview
Locations
Goals
Eligibility
About Our International Education Leadership

Overview

(view the video overview)

In 2010, the Division of International Pediatrics and the Office of Medical Education established collaborative agreements between University of Louisville and medical schools and teaching hospitals at two sites - Ecuador and Ghana. The residents participating in this rotation will serve as health care providers at a level similar to their training here and will train in the host teaching hospitals under the supervision of board-certified physicians from the U.S. and the host country. After completing the rotation, the residents are required to prepare an oral presentation, summarizing the international experience; this will be published in a local medical journal and/or presented as a Chairman’s Conference or Grand Rounds. Departmental funds are available to defray the costs of this rotation.

Coming Soon:

A global health curriculum and pathway that will allow residents to receive a certificate in Global Health upon completion. Check back soon for more information!

Locations

Our current agreements are with hospitals in Quito, Ecuador and Tamale, Ghana, though we are continually seeking additional international opportunities to build into our curriculum, and residents are encouraged to identify their own international opportunity that aligns with their specific focus. We have had residents go to various destinations throughout the world, such as Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Haiti. Early and proactive collaboration is encouraged to arrange a successful rotation and experience.

Goals

The main goal of this rotation is to develop a global perspective on child health through the practice of medicine in a less industrialized setting and a different cultural setting. Below are the specific goals we aim to achieve.

1. To provide hands-on experience in international child health for residents;
2. To encourage the development of professional values and skills as global pediatricians;
3. To develop a global perspective on child health through the practice of medicine in a less industrialized setting and a different cultural context;
4. To improve physical diagnostic skills through clinical experience in a less sophisticated technological setting;
5. To build medical knowledge through exposure to a variety of infectious, gastrointestinal, nutritional and other diseases seen more frequently or with different presentations in less industrialized countries;
6. To gain empathy and experience in addressing the health care needs of under-served communities through exposure to alternative modes of health care delivery and resource allocation;
7. To develop professional values through exposure to different philosophies of medical ethics, patient-provider relationships and child rights.
8. To acquire the attitude and skill to provide adequate assessment of the health care needs of children from another culture and nation upon completion of the international elective. (i.e.: initial evaluation, treatment, and follow-up for internationally adopted children, immigrant or refugee children).
9. To acquire the skills to provide basic pre-travel care for patients traveling to other regions of the world (i.e.: vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, prescriptions for traveler’s diarrhea, counseling regarding safe food and water), or know how to refer such patients.

Eligibility

• Pediatric or Combined Medicine-Pediatric Residents having completed their internship;
• Proficient in Spanish language (applies to Ecuador only);
• Satisfactory evaluations and correction of all the specific areas previously identified as “needing improvement”;
• Up-to-date on all aspects of compliance with resident requirements according to ACGME, including medical records, duty hours logging, evaluations, and conference participation.

An orientation session will be provided prior to each trip, including travel tips, visa requirements, immunizations, safety and security issues, cultural tips, and reading material related to the spectrum of diseases likely to be encountered during this rotation.

Residents interested in doing an international elective rotation should contact the Director of International Resident Education, Tania Condurache, M.D. to learn more.

• (502) 852-3782
• Email Dr. Condurache
  
  

About Our International Education Leadership

Dr. Tania Condurache, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of International Resident Education, spends many months every year traveling to different under-served communities in developing countries, together with faculty and resident teams from University of Louisville, in an effort to asses unmet educational needs and provide support in the identified deficient areas. Dr. Condurache also serves as a mentor for the University of Louisville pediatric residents traveling abroad for their international child health elective. Read Dr. Condurache's full bio.

In her role as Pediatric Residency Program Director, Dr. Kim Boland collaborates with Dr. Condurache in finalizing the rotation locations, residency selection and general oversight of the elective rotation to ensure the experience aligns with the overall program goals and objectives. Read Dr. Boland's full bio.