Transforming medical trips into a significant learning opportunity in global health

Background: For the last several years, medical mission trips during medical school have become an increasingly common vehicle through which expose future doctors to the field of global health. Medical students from Florida International University (FIU) started participating in medical trips to Haiti in 2010 under the auspices of International Health Connection. First intended as mere international experience, they quickly evolved into an important component of the comprehensive training of future physicians.

Objectives: - Provide medical students with international learning experiences easily applicable and integrated within their medical curriculum - Enhance understanding of global health issues and increase cultural competency - Improve clinical skills to provide effective care in poor-setting resources. - Promote interdisciplinary work and cooperation within medical team.

Methods: Faculty traveling with the students fully participate in the entire trip planning and preparation. Prior to the trip, students receive pertinent training in the main conditions and diseases that they will encounter as well as in basic language skills. Once at the clinic, medical students assume specific responsibilities and under clinician supervision. Upon returning, students present their learning experience and the most relevant cases managed .Trips and learning experience are evaluated using a survey. A total of 38 students have participated, treating over 1,300 patients have been treated.

Conclusions: Systematically planned medical trips can prove an essential component of global health training within medical education by designing relevant and specific learning objectives within the medical curriculum. Key elements for success include assigning responsibilities and providing training, feedback and evaluation