Program Photos

Tropical Medicine and Community-Based Care on the Coast of Mexico

Location: Mexico: Puerto Escondido

Term: Throughout the year

Program Duration: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks

Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Dates: Every month, throughout the year

Child Family Health International

http://www.cfhi.org

995 Market Street, Suite 1104 San Francisco, CA 94103 United States

Call Us

Phone: 415-957-9000

Fax: 415-840-0486

Description

Formerly known as the "Tropical Medicine and Rural Health" program.

This program, organized by Child Family Health International (CFHI) takes place in Puerto Escondido, a small town in the state of Oaxaca. There, students will gain exposure to many of the tropical diseases that are common in the area. In addition to clinical rotations, students will take medical and conversational Spanish classes at a local school.

During clinical rotations, students will have the opportunity to see Puerto Escondido's health care system in a variety of settings. Opportunities range from working in primary care clinics to participating in rural disease control programs. One of the key health problems students will encounter in their clinical rotations is malaria, common in tropical regions. Students may also witness cases of chagas, dengue, and common parasites.

Type 2 diabetes has also become a prevalent health problem in this town, and it is now one of the leading causes of death in Puerto Escondido. In addition to learning about tropical diseases, students will be assisting doctors in diagnosing and treating diabetes in communities that often lack the necessary resources to handle the disease on their own. Students may also get the chance to participate in Malaria Brigades, a common health initiative for malaria control.

Highlights

Clinical Rotations:

CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:

* Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
* Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
* Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
* Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
* Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information
* Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

Qualifications

Language Ability

This program is open to those who possess:
* Conversant Spanish
* Fluent Spanish
* For those who are not completely confident with their language skills before participation in this program, we strongly recommend that you arrive at your program site early and pay extra for additional Spanish instruction before you begin the CFHI program. Minimal Spanish skills are NOT sufficient for this program!

This program is open to participants who are 20 or over at the time of participation. We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Pre-health students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturopathic students

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Intern Types
  • Health Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
Languages
  • Spanish

Cost in US$:

Approx USD 2,500 for 4 weeks

Cost Include Description:

What's included?

* Pre-departure and on-site orientation materials and guidance
* Accommodation with a local homestay family with 2 meals per day within program dates
* International Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation Insurance
* Airport pick up on arrival
* Thirty hours of Spanish classes. Additional language training beyond 30 hours: USD 7/hour individual instruction, USD 5/hour for small group instruction.
* All preceptor, hospital and coordinator fees
* Weekly meetings with coordinator and Medical Director

What's not included?

* Airfare to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico
* Airport Drop-off
* Passport or visa fees
* Local transportation to and from clinic sites
* Other expenses of a personal nature like weekend and after-hour activities. This includes but is not limited to local transportation, tourist trips in and around Puerto, and any personal expenses incurred.

Credit Available

yes

Volunteer Types
  • Community Health
  • Counseling
  • Culture
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Sanitation
  • Volunteering
  • Health Education
  • Hospital
  • Nursing
  • Medicine
Age Range
20 or over
This Program is open to

Worldwide, American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Home-stays

Participants Travel to Mexico

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time is
1 week
Post Services Include
  • Alumni Network
  • Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Child Family Health International's Mission Statement

Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that conducts socially responsible global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI's 20+ programs in 5 countries connect students with local health professionals -transforming perspectives about self, global health and healing. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives. CFHI is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations.

Year Founded

1992

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