Columbia University General Surgery Residency International Health Elective
Medicine has transcended borders throughout the world. Populations of the world are growing at an astonishing pace, and medical systems of the developing world are trying to sustain medical care. However, the resources available to many of these countries preclude them from offering the standard of care known well to more developed countries. In addition, because of the lack of funding for preventative medicine, patients frequently have endstage presentations of their illnesses. The Columbia University General Surgery residency now has a unique new opportunity to send our residents to do international surgical electives in developing countries. Now, more than ever, is this experience an almost necessary part of training in order to understand global surgical diseases. This rotation will help our residents gain a fundamental understanding not only of cultural differences in approach to disease but also in treatment of disease. It is meant as a cultural exchange as well in that our host institutions will not only gain the help that these residents can offer them locally but also can gain cutting edge knowledge and research/clinical collaborations with our own institution.
International Clinical Rotation
The core component of the International Health Elective in Surgery will be a 4-week international elective (not required) rotation at a host institution in a developing country. A maximum of 7 residents will be sent each year. After the initial pilot experience, the elective time could be lengthened, particularly if long-term projects evolve with the collaborating university.
Rotations will primarily be clinical experiences. Residents will participate as team members in pre- and post-operative care of surgical patients, in surgery clinics, and in the operating room. Some residents may choose to engage in an ongoing research project in the developing country with supervision by a Columbia-based mentor or with a faculty member from the host university. Residents will be supervised primarily by faculty from the collaborating university but may also be supervised by a Columbia faculty member that may accompany the resident.
Residents will also be involved in the training of local health care workers, students, and residents as appropriate. Initial residents will be responsible for completing an evaluation of the program and helping to facilitate the development of this program.
Specific Objectives for Residents*
- Gain clinical and operative experience in the delivery of surgical care in developing countries
- Gain knowledge and familiarity of surgical diseases specific to developing countries
- Increase awareness of the complicated barriers to health care in a more resource-poor environment
- Enhance cultural sensitivity and a global health perspective
- Refine history and physical exam skills in an environment less dependent on technology
- Explore international health as a potential career interest
- Develop mentoring relationships with Columbia faculty interested in international health
- Acquire proficiency in basic international health and public health issues
- Contribute to building local capacity to train students/residents/health workers at the collaborating institution
- Participate in research that addresses the health or the health services of a developing country
*adapted from an similar international health program
Potential Sites
- Cebu, Philippines
- Kampala, Uganda
- Mumbai, India
- Korea
- Brazil
Sites will be considered based on clinical exposure, faculty oversight, Columbia connections and language/translation availability. This experience will be fully funded by the Department of Surgery, and residents will continue to receive their monthly salary as well.
Contact:
Avital Harari, MD
PGY IV, General Surgery Resident
Columbia University Department of Surgery
email: ah2275@columbia.edu
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