CLINICAL TROPICAL MEDICINE IN MALAWI

Clinical Elective Credit for International Experiences

Pre-Requisites: Students must have been admitted to the College of Human Medicine, must have satisfactorily completed their core clerkships, and must have completed Dr. Taylor’s pre-clinical elective course, IM 618, “Clinical Tropical Medicine.” Students must attend an orientation seminar prior to departure, complete required paperwork, and demonstrate financial capability. 

Language:  Although few of the patients speak English, many of those working in the hospitals are English speakers and may serve as translators until students learn enough of the local language to function independently. 

General Description:  Dr. Terry Taylor offers an International Health Elective Clerkship in Malawi, Africa. Her research project on malaria is conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, a 900 bed facility with specialists in IM, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, and Surgery.  The QECH is a teaching hospital and medical students, nurses and medical assistants receive instruction there.  By and large the students provide services to the clinical wards at the QECH, and do not work on Dr. Taylor’s research. 

Application Process:  Students should prepare a letter of request to Dr. Taylor’s Office by December of the year prior to the elective. The materials may be sent or e-mailed to Dr. Taylor at B 315 C West Fee Hall, E. Lansing, MI 48824, or to taylort@msu.edu. 

Beginning in January, 3 copies of a latter from the student applicant stating their status as a 4^th year student, their preferred rotations (IM, OB/Gyn, Peds, Surg), their preferred dates, and a current curriculum vitae should be addressed to:

            Coordinator, Overseas Elective Students

            University of Malawi

            College of Medicine

Private Bag 360

            Biantyre 3

Malawi, Central Africa

Length:  This is a 6 (but preferably) to 8 week long experience taking place between January and June.  Students must be in their senior year of medical school. 

Objectives:  This elective provides an introduction to the practice of medicine in a resource-poor setting.  The overall goals are:

• Increase awareness of issues involved in the delivery of health care in developing countries
• Promote development of the student’s professional attitude, behavior and sensitivity to the challenges and issues of health care in developing countries
• Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to function in health care settings in developing countries
• Develop a cultural awareness (customs, nutrition, traditional health beliefs, etc.) of the patient population. 

Immunizations:   Students must have immunizations to:

§         Hepatitis B

§         Hepatitis A vaccine or gamma globulin

§         Polio with boosters recommended once in adulthood

§         Tetanus with boosters every 10 years

§         Typhoid, cholera and rabies are NOT recommended

§         Yellow fever is not necessary, but is recommended to enter some other African countries

§          

Student must realize that they may be exposed to diseases for which there is no prophylaxis and or vaccination (diarrhea, AIDS, Intestinal helminthes, schistomiasis, onchocerciasis).  Reasonable self care precautions should be taken. 

Travel and Accomodation:  Travel arrangements are not difficult but must be made in advance, especially if not is leaving at holiday times.  Flints from Europe leave for Malawi 3-4 times per week on British Airways, and KLM.  Round trip costs from Detroit are approximately $2,000.  While in Blantyre, students may stay with Dr. Taylor if space is available or at the Grace Bandawe conference center.  Weekly expenses are approximately $100.