AE: Global Health

School of Medicine

This four-week AE is an extension of the ISC Global Health course and aims to provide clinical experience in the care of patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), most often in resource-constrained environments. Students assess the most common health problems encountered at the site, the usual treatment protocols, and how management differs from that in the U.S. or other developed countries. Students learn how treatment and treatment decisions are influenced by local contexts, policies, and cultural components. Students mindfully and ethically draw on their 'resourcefulness' to navigate the various constraints of working in resource-constrained settings. The hospital or clinic site is arranged by the student and approved by course director. Approval can be facilitated by Vanderbilt faculty involvement at the site. Students may elect to combine clinical work with language immersion studies. If the intended location is on the State Department Travel Alert List, additional approval is required. Students are responsible for covering all of their personal expenses associated with the course and travel, but small amounts of funding may be available.