International Health Elective for Medical Students

IHA offers and since 2002 has continued to offer an International Health elective for medical students in their clinical training years.  This is a 4-week general medicine elective with 3 components- language instruction, clinical supervision, and cultural participation.  The students gain first hand clinical experience as they accompany our permanent staff on their regularly scheduled visits to the rural villages and inner city communities.  They will diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever and manage treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.  The role of clean water sources and its impact on health will be addressed.  The students will gain an appreciation of the need for infrastructural support and its impact on public health.  It is anticipated that a mentor will accompany all medical student groups.

 

Language Component

The language component is scheduled for the first week of the elective.  Upon arrival in Guatemala City, all students will be transported to Antigua. Accommodations will be with a host family while the student attends one of the established language schools.  At the completion of this week, students will be transported to Guatemala City where they will fly to Flores to begin a clinical experience.

 

Clinical Experience

The clinical experience will begin once the student arrives at the Mission House in Flores.  Students will gain first hand clinical experience as they accompany our permanent staff on their regularly scheduled visits to the rural villages and inner city communities.  Student volunteers will diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever as well as manage treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.  Our permanent staff is well known to each of these local communities.  When necessary, patients are referred for follow-up care to one of several health promoter clinics or other local clinics for the underserved.  The role of clean water sources and its impact on health will be addressed.  In addition, students will gain an appreciation of the need for infrastructural support and its impact on public health.  It is anticipated that a mentor will accompany all medical student groups.

 

Cultural Immersion

The cultural aspects of the program include a variety of activities that serve to immerse the student/volunteer into the daily life of the local and indigenous community.  Cultural aspects of the program include:

  1. Medical jornadas in indigenous villages including meals with a local family.
  2. Lectures on the local culture
  3. Participation in local events
  4. Lectures on the history of Guatemala and the Petén
  5. Lectures on Mayan culture and archeology
  6. Visits to Mayan ruins