Stritch School of Medicine - Elective Course Catalog

Introduction

Center for Service & Global Health

Dept. Contact	Amy Blair, MD
Location	SSOM
Phone	708-216-3222
Email	CSGH@lumc.edu

Department: Center for Service & Global Health

Course Number: CSGH-401

Course Title: International Health: Galway, Ireland

No. of Students:

Site: Foreign

Supervisor: Amy Blair, MD

Duration: 4.0 weeks

Periods Offered:

Prerequisite: Fourth year standing.

Special Note: Contact Dean Mendez (Student Affairs) and Dr. Amy Blair (Center for Service & Global Health) to apply.

Description:
The purpose of the elective is to allow an experience in international medicine in a stable country with a differing system of health care and reimbursement system than the United States. Students would participate in care and develop an appreciation of what the experience teaches regarding possible changes in the American health care system. The elective also allows experiences similar to those in the United States in participating in high quality medical and surgical care, with the added advantage of being exposed to differing perspectives and differing cultures from physicians and staff trained in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere.

The elective is provided as an offering of Family Medicine because of the likelihood that it will include possibilities for a variety of different clinical experiences as well as Family Medicine’s emphasis on understanding the social, economic, and cultural experience of patient and family in providing care.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

The clinical possibilities for student involvement are multiple.

Initially, students who are interested in this experience will be working with the Clinic’s orthopedic surgeon, Mr. Padraic Murray. (Surgeons are called “Mister” in the Ireland and Great Britain). Mr. Murray is an extremely busy and active sports medicine/orthopedic surgeon whose practice involves care of athletes from a number of team sports (rugby, Irish football, soccer, hurling) as well as the general public. He is very desirous of some assistance in the Operating Room from young, enthusiastic, and motivated students.

Other possibilities can be worked out, although the first few students will work with Mr. Murray. Exposure to Mr. Murray’s orthopedic practice will also allow the student to understand some of the difficulties of Ireland’s national health system and the role that private hospitals play in a country with universal access.

In the future, other clinical opportunities will develop and may be available early on for the motivated student who is willing to speak up politely. These include working as a surgical subintern, working as a medical subintern, or doing a combined experience with work in the operating theatres, some time on the medical wards, and some time in the emergency/urgent care clinic. There is the possibility, which is strongly encouraged for students, to have a brief exposure to other facets of the Irish health system, including visiting a clinic or two at the National University in Galway. The goal is for students to develop a deeper understanding how the Galway Clinic provides a needed niche in health care services and the plusses and minuses of the National Health Service in Ireland. Ultimately for our students the goal would be for them to reflect on the Irish experience and consider what lessons it might hold for the United States as it faces the problems of providing health care for its citizens.

Students who consider applying for this elective need to be strongly motivated and capable of flexibility in scheduling and experience. Initially, there will be a mutual period of learning as the staff and physicians of the Clinic get used to the presence of medical students. In addition, there will be the common experience of an away elective in finding lodging, figuring out transportation and getting used to a new hospital setting. Doing these tasks in a foreign country, albeit one that is friendly, English-speaking, and politically calm, will provide some new challenges. The contacts at the Galway Clinic are ready to help. Students should not expect, however, that every aspect of their stay will be arranged by others and need to be proactive.

A special consideration is the recognition that Ireland is a foreign country and students are guests both of the Republic of Ireland and of the Clinic. A high standard of professionalism and respect on the part of Stritch students is very much part of the expectation for all participating.

Method of evaluation:
The method of evaluation is three-fold:

1. A satisfactory evaluation from the Galway Clinic
2. A patient/clinical experience log that details the types of patients seen, numbers, and types of experiences. This could be satisfactorily done as a daily log or clinical diary.
3. A no less than five page and up to ten page double spaced typed paper describing the Irish healthcare system, the nature of the Galway Clinic as a private hospital in a system that has nationalized health care, and personal reflections on the lessons the student takes with regard to a different payment scheme for future health care in the United States. This paper and a discussion with Dr. Sheehan and/or his designees on the faculty will serve in lieu of a written examination.

Doctor McWeeney or Ms. Teahan will send an evaluation back to SSOM based on the input of supervising physicians as well as their observations. Students will bring their patient log and paper to Dr. Blair within a week after completion of the elective. (It is strongly desired that these be hard copy and not sent to Dr. Blair electronically.)

Please note that students for whom concerns are raised about professional behavior while at the Galway Clinic risk failing this elective. It is meant to be an outstanding personal and professional experience, as well as fun, but not a vacation.