Medicine in Austere Settings

This course examines the practice of medicine in austere settings and will include content related to tropical medicine/neglected tropical diseases, humanitarian relief, disaster management and wilderness medicine. Students will explore the history of these fields and the challenges that medical professionals face in these environments. It will focus on the multitude of ethical dilemmas when providing care in austere settings. Students should expect to think critically about challenging questions and learn various skills useful to the practice of medicine in austere settings, including basic epidemiology, public health coordination, disaster management and wilderness medicine techniques. Each week will feature a different scenario to tackle. Students will learn using podcast episodes, news articles, research studies, and documentaries. This course is well-suited for students who are interested in public health, international health policy or aim to pursue a career as a medical professional.