Medical Intern Project

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Term: Throughout the year 
Dates: The 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.

Description: Interns will quickly find out why Thailand has become a medical center for much of Asia and why westerners travel half-way across the world to receive expert, inexpensive medical care. Thailand's medical system is well known for its highly qualified doctors, staff and new medical equipment.

Interns will be paired with a full-time Thai doctor and work five days a week (Mon Fri) 8:00am 4:00pm. In special cases interns may work on weekends and evenings. Interns will shadow the Thai doctor in their normal, daily routines and assist with professional responsibilities.

No more than two interns at any one time will be paired with each full-time doctor. The amount of "on hands" involvement while interning will depend upon the intern's experience, education, comfort level, the length of the internship and the consent of both the attending doctor and the hospital administration. Interns who have completed course study and received their medical degree will be able to execute a more active role during their internships.

All of the doctors participating in the internship program have a strong command of English, having not only studied it throughout their educations, but many also having attended multiple conferences and seminars in English. Numerous doctors have also had supplemental training within the United States and other western countries.

The hospital has a wide variety of departments and services. Interns may be able to pick different centers and clinical areas of the hospital to focus their work on or to spend supplemental time in.

The hospital offers the following health care departments and services:

* General Medical Consultation
* Computerized Tomography
* Diagnostic Radiology
* General Surgery
* Orthopedic Surgery
* Neurosurgery
* Internal Medicine
* Obstetrics and Gynecology
* Prenatal and Postnatal care
* Dermatology Clinic
* Eye Clinic
* Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic
* Pediatric Clinic
* Pediatric Allergy Clinic
* Health Care Check up and Promotion Center
* Emergency Center
* Dental Care Center
* Hemodialysis Center
* Intensive Care Unit
* Cardiac Care Unit
* Physical Rehabilitation Center
* Fitness Room
* Health Promotion and Alternative Medicine Center
    * Foot, Body and Traditional Thai Massage
    * Acupuncture
    * Colon Cleaning
    * Yoga
    * Natural Diet counseling
    * Pyramidal hydro bed

About The Hospital:

Centrally located within the city of Chiang Mai, this historic hospital is only a few minutes ride from our Friends For Asia House. There are a variety of delicious Thai restaurants as well as relaxing coffee shops within easy walking distance.

The original hospital was opened in 1888 as an 8 bed clinic. It has grown considerably since then, now boasting 400 patient beds and 784 employees. A total of 41 doctors, 7 dentists, 10 pharmacists and 214 nurses currently work there full time.

The hospital's architecture reflects both its history and its modernity, ranging from traditional colonial style to a more contemporary design. In addition, it contains a number of lush, open air courtyards filled with trees and tropical flowers. These elements give the hospital a light, airy feeling which encompasses the serenity of northern Thailand.

Highlights: Chiang Mai is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields. It is Thailand's second largest city with a population of roughly 700,000. The city is considered the cultural and physical capital of what used to be the northern Thai, or Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai also boasts an international airport, restaurants of almost every cuisine, incredible shopping and world class hospitals.

During or after service, Friends For Asia recommends interns to take part in some of the many different local attractions and/or courses. Every Sunday Chiang Mai closes off one of the main roads in the old city to put on a walking street market. Vendors and artisans from the area set up their small booths to sell their handicrafts, art and mouthwatering finger foods.

Chiang Mai offers Thai cooking courses starting around $35 and Thai massage courses starting around $45, along with jungle treks and regular Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches are also available. Upon arrival into Chiang Mai, Friends For Asia will be more than happy to help you sign up for one of these exciting opportunities to learn more about this beautiful culture.

Qualifications: Interns must be at least 20 years old and be studying pre-med, currently in medical school or have already received their MD. This project is designed for those who are either a doctor already, or seriously considering medicine as a profession.

Cost in US$: USD 995 for two weeks and USD 200 for each additional week

Includes:
Airport pick up, 2-Day Pre-Internship orientation, accommodation during orientation and entire project time, breakfast every morning, half day city tour, cultural dinner and show, onsite coordinator, 24-hour emergency assistance and official documentation of internship and work completed.

Not included:
Plane tickets, travel insurance, cost of criminal police background check (required for this project), cost of transportation to and from work location and accommodation, ride to the airport after internship, lunches and dinners.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement: The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded: 2008