Preparing for international medical service

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Background

IH refers to health practices, policies, and other health-related issues faced by all populations. Global health is a newer concept, outlined by the United States National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine as “health problems, issues, and concerns that transcend national boundaries and are influenced by circumstances or experiences in other countries and are best addressed by cooperative actions and solutions” [4]. Becoming familiar with current IH concepts and the history and scope of

Developing a successful international health experience

Although much work to improve global health is accomplished far from the point of delivery and in nonmedical domains [17], first-hand experience is invaluable as an introduction to the issues for future involvement in global health initiatives and as a framing experience for any United States EM practice setting, particularly with increasing diversity and dispersion of immigrant populations. The following discussion is directed at preparations for clinical experiences outside the United States.

Summary

In many ways, preparation for medical service outside the United States is not greatly different from preparation for a self-guided vacation tour of another country. The major differences are in the rigor that one should apply to being sure all details are set, particularly if one is planning to go to a site away from a capital city. Additionally, the mental preparation is required in terms of the understanding of global health issues in a holistic sense and the personal mental preparation for

www.GlobalHealth.gov

This Web site is sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services to showcase their international linkages in projects and other international cooperative ventures. The site has job listings within the agency and links to job listings from other international agencies, such as the WHO and PAHO. There is a page with a listing of various international agency and organization Web sites. One particularly useful page refers to current status of J-1 and H-1B visas. This would be helpful as

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