Urban and Rural Comparative Health, Ecuador

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Chone

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Every month, throughout the year

Description: Explore the urban and rural healthcare systems of Ecuador through clinical rotations that will highlight the differences of healthcare services in the two regions. Students will spend the first portion of the program in Quito, the lively capital city of Ecuador. There, they will take medical and conversational Spanish classes and be immersed in the rich culture of the city. They will also have the chance to rotate through a variety of clinics in Quito under the supervision of local doctors. Please see the description of Andean Health in Quito for more information about this first stage of the program.

In the second stage of the program, students will travel to Chone, a rural town in the Manabi province of Ecuador. Students will work at the Hospital Napoleon Davila Cordova for two full weeks, where they will observe and assist (to a limited degree) doctors with primary health care, sometimes complicated by tropical diseases such as malaria, chagas, leishmaniasis, and dengue. Common adult diseases in this area include: congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Common childhood diseases include: acute respiratory infection, malnutrition, acute diarrheal disease, and parasites.

Highlights:    
* Clinical Rotation/Academic Credit Assistance
* Language Training Component
* Accommodations
* Communication
   
Clinical Rotations:
CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:

* Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
* Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
* Scheduled meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
* Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
* Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information
* Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: This program is open to those who possess (Please be aware that during 2 weeks in the town of Chone, there is no opportunity to study Spanish in a classroom setting):

* Minimal Spanish
* Conversant Spanish
* Fluent Spanish

Education Level:

This program is open to participants who are 21 or over at the time of participation.We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Senior level Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturpathic students

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Cost in US$: Approx. 2,000 for 4 weeks

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 21 and over

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Scholarships are Available. As available-- see CFHI website.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement: Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a nonprofit that builds and strengthens sustainable healthcare services for underserved communities worldwide. CFHI conducts global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives to advance quality healthcare for all.

Year Founded: 1993