Family Medicine Elective in Rural Honduras (FAM 620)

Goal

To develop an understanding of medical care in a rural remote setting of a developing country and the interaction of acute medical care with public health.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the rotation the student should be able to:

• Conduct a focused history and physical exam pertinent to the patient’s presenting concerns using an interpreter, if not fluent in Spanish.
• Be able to provide simple instructions in Spanish for common patient concerns, such as how to take a medication.
• Develop an understanding of how to provide medical care in a setting where no laboratory testing or imaging services are available.
• Educate non-medical community members on a health topic.
• Gain an understanding on how to do a community assessment.
• Provide evidence of ability to engage in self-directed learning, including setting personal goals.

Schedule of Activities

The student will see patients at the clinic at San Jose de Centro under the supervision of a family physician faculty. The nearest hospital is a six-hour drive on a rough dirt road. Students will be expected to see patients during the day and contribute to on-call coverage at night, which includes obstetrical services. Afternoons will be spent, for one half of the group, in community health activities in the surrounding villages. Learn more about the Global Health Program.

The FAM 620 elective is only offered for two weeks in October and May; the exact times of the trips will vary year to year due to flight availability.

Didactic Activities

Prior to the trip, there will be 1-3 meetings of all those who will be participating in the trip. The student MUST be able to attend these sessions. These will include reports about what has been done at the site previously, as well as the goals for the current trip. In addition, repacking and distribution of medication and supply donations will be done at these meetings. The student will be expected to be able to complete pre-participation reading to gain a better understanding of the culture and region. Following the trip, there will be a post-trip debriefing which each student is required to attend. In addition, the student must write a trip summary.

Required Reading

As assigned by Dr. Stockman

Student Evaluations

In order to receive a grade of Passing, the student must attend all pre- and post-trip sessions, participate in the entire trip in Honduras, maintain a logbook of patients seen, write a trip report (which is turned in to Dr. Stockman), and receive a satisfactory evaluation from the Family Medicine faculty.

Scheduling

Students interested in this course must check on space availability before enrolling. There is a short application to fill out. Please contact Elizabeth Brown for the application and further instructions. In the past, funding has been available through the University of Rochester Medical School’s International Health Advisory Committee - securing trip funding is the responsibility of the student.

Note: A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required to secure your spot on the team, and will be due three (3) months prior to the trip.