International Health and Tropical Medicine (WPI)*

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

2009-2010 Elective Catalog

Department: Internal Medicine

Title:	International Health and Tropical Medicine (WPI)*
Course Number:	45173
Course Type:	Traditional

Description:
This elective is designed to help students develop skills needed for working with International Health and Relief Organizations through structured clinical experiences at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana, Africa. While in Ghana, students will participate in teaching ward rounds with Ghanaian faculty and students; assist with procedures, including LP and parecentesis; complete H&Ps, present patients, and discuss management; and educate patients about their conditions. Outpatient care will be included through experiences at the General Internal Medicine Clinic at the hospital, and at the IHDN clinic in Agbozume, Ghana, a rural community. To prepare for the experience, students will be expected to complete a set of background reading materials about international and tropical medicine and meet with elective faculty to discuss the following topics: Malaria, malnutrition, helminthiasis, diarrhea, hypertension, diabetes, degenerative disease, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, anemia, hemoglobinopathies, WHO, UNICEF, socio-cultural aspects of health; the impact of poverty and politics on health, and community diagnosis and intervention.
Objectives:
1.Provide exposure to international and tropical medicine to foster interest in possible careers in International Health and Medical Relief 2.Learn the importance of careful history-taking through the practice of medicine in an environment with limited high-tech diagnostic capabilities 3.Develop a global perspective on health and health care 4.Gain exposure to a range of tropical and infectious diseases not common in the US.
Evaluation:
1.Discussion of background readings with faculty 2.Case presentations in clinic 3.Case discussions during teaching rounds 4.Written summary of the two most interesting cases 5.Participation in clinical and community-based health activities 6.Student will maintain an electronic logbook of all patient encounters
Prerequisites:
WPI (With Permission of Instructor) faculty approval required to enroll Student to contact course faculty TWENTY-SIX WEEKS (6 months) before beginning elective Successful completion of ALL third-year clerkships Completion of required reading materials and participation in both formal and informal preparatory sessions at least 4 weeks before departure Student must be able to raise funds for travel to Ghana. Students must have good inter-personal skills and the ability to adapt to different situations.

Faculty Responsible for Elective:	Edem S Agamah, MD
Telephone:	(217) 525-2500

Additional Faculty:

Professor Michael Mate-kole,
Chief of Nephrology,
University of Ghana Medical School,
Accra. Ghana

Enrollment:	Minimum: 2	Maximum: 4
Schedule:	Full Time 2 or 4 weeks
Credit Hours:	Minimum: 2	Maximum: 4

Week(s) Elective Offered:

Chris Reavis, MS (Curriculum Information)
Jean Afflerbach (Web Page)