International Medical Experience in Third World Service

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Department
Interdisciplinary Medicine
Course Number
IDIS 350
Course Title International Medical Experience in Third World Service
Course Director
Glenn Geelhoed, MD
Length (Weeks)

4-12
When Offered

No longer available for AY24-25
Prerequisites

All core clerkships
Availability Notes

This course is no longer available for the academic year 2024-2025.

All medical students participating in international clinical or research electives, including those in the Global Health Scholarly Concentration, must first apply through the GW SMHS Office of International Medicine Programs (IMP) and then submit the Extramural Elective Request Form located on the MD Registrar website to the Dean’s Office prior to the beginning date of the elective.
Contact Name
Rebecca Zacuto
Contact Phone
202-994-2421
Contact Fax
Contact Email
rebecca.zacuto@gwu.edu
Other Contacts

impinfo@gwu.edu; Dr. Geelhoed (gwg@gwu.edu)
Location
Limit
None
Report

N/A
Evaluation

Uniform Clinical Evaluation, paper, report summarizing experience, seminar performance
Description

Medical care in the Third World involves resourceful application of limited resources to often-advanced diseases, including some exotic tropical disorders affecting large numbers of very needy people. Health practices of care and prevention are experienced in supervised settings and in challenging environments. Occasional night call as appropriate, approximately every third night. Additional faculty will include John F. Williams, MD, and others. For additional information and online application form, see www.MissionToHeal.org.
Additional Notes

International Clinical Elective Guidelines:

  • All medical students participating in international clinical or research electives, including those in the Global Health Scholarly Concentration, must first apply through the GW SMHS Office of International Medicine Programs (IMP) and then submit the Extramural Elective Request Form located on the MD Registrar website to the Dean’s Office prior to the beginning date of the elective.
  • Students must adhere to the SMHS Policies and Procedures for Pre-clinical International Summer Experiences and International Electives.
  • Students must also follow university policies on student travel. See student travel policies on the GW Global website.
    • Of note, any students traveling to a high-risk destination will be required to submit additional information and risk mitigation plans that may be reviewed by the university's International Travel Risk Committee for approval. 
    • GW does not permit students to rent vehicles while on university travel.
  • At least 30 days before departure, students must:
    • Submit all required documents to GW Passport portal.
    • Submit completion certificate for the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS) training to IMP.
  • Students must be able to perform standard clinical duties during their rotation abroad and are expected to work with a designated mentor, who will evaluate the student's progress using the SMHS Uniform Clinical Evaluation form. 
  • Grades will be issued by Dr. Ayas based on 1) the feedback received from the in-country mentor in the Uniform Clinical Evaluation, and 2) the student's reflection paper. 

Policies: